‘The musical genius’, the intricacy of ATI’s journey

“I believe I am a musical genius,” the late musical symbol ATI, real name Atasaone Molemogi, said so himself, and it is extremely difficult to argue that any local artist of the last two decades has reached the trailblazing standard of the ‘Ke lekhete’ hitmaker. Although time will tell whether anyone retroactively earns the title, what is certain is that ATI meant something to almost everyone.

“Hey kere naare dintshang, batho bame naare dintshang” ATI’s unparalleled voice and precocious talent as a teenager in the My African Dream talent show hinted at the stardom that awaited him. The year was 2007, and ATI did something others would consider radical as he competed against groups during a time when Kwaito dance outfits reigned supreme at My African Dream. Competing against Unified and Scandals in the grand finale, he managed to scoop position two in the senior category, which was won by the latter. This was the same year Amanandos, a group of gifted dancers, were causing havoc in the teen category of the competition. ATI was still a senior school student, but that did not stop him from pursuing his dream.