On stage, Ezra Neethings, whose real name is Esere Diloro, is commanding and larger than life. Off stage, however, he is reserved and introspective; a personality he says is shaped by growing up in the village, far from city life. “I’m not really under pressure to be some type of way because I don’t resonate with city life. I resonate with village life. I relate to people who are low in life because I’ve been there,” he said. Though raised in a village, Ezra Neethings has become a household name beyond Botswana’s borders. Social media, particularly TikTok, has propelled his music across the continent, exposing it to audiences unfamiliar with the language but drawn to its authenticity.
His chart-topping hit Merwalela remains one of the most-streamed songs in Botswana. According to Ezra Neethings, its breakthrough moment came when it gained traction on South African TikTok. “That’s when it really started to make sense and show results when I realised the music had entered a new level,” he said. Despite predominantly singing in vernacular, Ezra Neethings’ music enjoys international appeal. He attributes this to his commitment to reality-based storytelling. “I sing about reality. I don’t sing about fantasies or things I don’t know. That’s why people relate to it, even outside the country,” he explained. On the impact of streaming platforms, Ezra believes success in music is now defined differently. “Streaming platforms have replaced CDs and even radio airplay. Radio can chart your song once, and it’s done, but streaming allows people to speak. It gives power to the listeners,” he said, adding that digital platforms have shifted the influence away from traditional music compilers. While the music scene remains competitive, Ezra believes standing out requires originality rather than trend-chasing. “When you don’t follow trends, you become the trend,” he said.
