ATI, DT turn to politics

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday January 29, 2013 00:00

 

This week, the two are expected to sit side by side as they are officially welcomed into the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) youth wing. Interestingly, ATI admitted there was an element of influencing each other.

'To a certain extent (we influenced each other). As long term accomplices, not only within music, but also advising each other as brothers, we both analysed and weighed the options of being involved in BDP,' ATI told Showbiz. ATI is unfazed by what the implications of his decision could be, emphasising it was about self-contentment.

'It's more of a personal thing; you have your teacher who does their daily duties unbiased whether they fall to a certain party or whatsoever. I'm no exception coming from the entertainment industry because I believe music is my bread and butter, my political alignment then falls into a spectrum of a personal decision,' he said. But he admits that being in the public eye, the decision is bound to be received with mixed feelings by his fans.

'I think being in the public's eye, whatever I do will impact on my music whether negative or positive but at times you need to put yourself before anything. At the end of the day, it all boils down to my contention rather than myself as a musical icon.' He cited American rapper Jay-Z as an example of an artist who has gone all out in the open about his political inclination. Jay-Z revealed his conservative leanings in the build-up to America's presidential polls late last year.

The Brooklyn rapper is a high profile endorser of president Barack Obama.  Asked whether he started supporting BDP from a young age, ATI said as an adolescent his judgement was clouded, but 'now I feel where I am is home'.  His accomplice, DT, also confirmed the transition saying it was a personal decision.   The two have previously shared the stage and their performance of Gimme Roses' remix stands out as one of their personal best. The few times the two belted out the song - fans have been left asking for more. The duo performed the song at the Vision 2016 awards and in Maun in December 2011.  DT has admitted he openly admires the 24-year-old talented musician.