However, some brave women, such as Obakeng Gaailelwe, known as DJ Taitha, have gone against the tide, trying to change the status quo. She is not just a pretty face but a beauty with brains. She graduated from the University of Botswana in 2023 with a BA degree in Marketing. In an interview with Arts&Culture, she said she started DJng in 2019 while still at university but later did it professionally in 2022. She added that she was currently an Amapiano DJ and was still learning other musical genres. “I have always been a lover of music from a young age. Most of my friends even refer to me as an old soul because I know all the oldies' songs (apparently). I would make sure when I clean, there is music in the background even when I am bathing and whatever I am doing there should be something playing in the background. I do not have any singles or albums produced, but I am dishing up something really nice, and I am taking my time because it will be my first baby and I want perfection! This year is my year. I have exciting projects I cannot wait to share with Batswana,” she confidently said.
She further explained that her songs will be more about her identity, adding that they would also give her fans a glimpse of her identity and her creative vision as an artist. She added that she has collaborated with a few local artists on her projects. DJ Taitha further said she chose these artists because they are very creative and also have a better understanding of the sound Batswana can resonate with. Furthermore, she emphasised that she was sure her project would make her famous, saying that after her release, there would be a story to tell. “I think my music will be authentic story, but also I want to do genre blending so that any person would have a favourite song. This is still a learning experience for me. One thing about music is every day you learn a new thing and it is such an exciting experience because you do not get bored of it. One thing that has kept me in the game and that I still live by as a DJ is having an open mind for learning and also consistency and discipline,” she said. Furthermore, she pointed out that the most challenging thing she experienced as a female DJ was having some people not acting professionally and sometimes not getting booked because she did not allow certain things to happen, especially because she is an independent DJ. Just like other young creatives trying to leave a print in the industry, she said she was exposed to exploitation, which has been happening since way back. However, all that negativity did not pull her down as she said she achieved quite a lot in her career. She added that she met some cool people along the way in their industry and shared stages with international celebrities.
