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Botswana: Mogoditshane Produces More Kwaito Artistes
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
10 April 2008
Posted to the web 11 April 2008
Mogomotsi Moloi
Gaborone
There is no doubt that only Mogoditshane seems to have a vast pool of youngsters talented in singing or dancing Kwaito music than any other place here that has produced aspiring musicians.
Since more locals started taking music as a vocation, more Kwaito artistes have come out of Mogoditshane and the latest to emerge from this fast growing peri-urban area is the pair of Sesupo Ramokwapa and Mokgweetsi Kabomo who call themselves Crakasi. Though the duo originate from Molepolole and Kanye respectively, they have the ghetto life influence, which is dominating in Mogoditshane, where Ramokwapa resides.
Sponsored by mobile phone company Orange and assisted by former Odirile 'Vee' Sento's dancers, Exodus, Crakasi have released a 12-track Kwaito album titled Disekele. In the project they also worked with an enterprising young choreographer known as Majaevane. The album provides nothing better than danceable Kwaito tunes to be enjoyed mostly by the young generation, especially those from ekasi, as they put in their lingo. Their hoarse voices are also not far from those associated with this particular genre. Even though Desekele is almost similar to other existing songs of Kwaito-Kwasa, Crakasi insists that their album is different. Save for the last two tracks, Nkgo and Mmamarobole, which are slow jams, sang wholly in the indigenous language, the whole album offers strictly Kwaito.
The CD opens with an unappealing beat Waza but as it gains momentum, it can be noticed that they had a point. The seventh track, Re Di Wele Ka Skill, which probably is their hit song, gives one a reason to listen to it. It has heavy beats and the boys rhyme like seasoned musicians. Kedi, the ninth track, has nothing different with the already heard from the likes of Exodus and Eskimos among others. Crakasi features Exodus in this track.
Ramokwapa, who formed the group, enthusiastically says that they have loved Kwaito music from childhood though they previously danced traditional music. They were part of Mogwana Traditional Group before breaking to do their thing. Ramokwapa is a University of Botswana (UB) Electrical and Electronic student while his partner works for a certain music studio in Gaborone. 'While we travelled with Mogwana to places like South Africa, we meet several popular Kwaito musicians and we loved the way they did their music," reveals the 24-year-old Ramokwapa.
He said staying in Mogoditshane also played a part in the influence. "When you move around here (Mogoditshane) Kwaito is pumping almost everywhere. It rings on people's heads," he added. He said people should appreciate their music because Crakasi is an upcoming group that still needs assistance. He told Showbiz that they recently returned from London where they recorded sound tracks of the Mma-Ramotswe, the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency movie, which would be premiered at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) this coming weekend.
The much-talked about movie, shot in Botswana a few months ago, features proclaimed singer Jill Scott and a number of local people benefited by playing supporting characters. Ramokwapa said it was a great experience to play traditional musical instruments in the movie.
"We are here with a bang. People should take time to listen to our album and they would enjoy it," pleads Kabomo. He explained that the album is all about fun. He said their product combines many things and the youth would enjoy it. He said when Ramokwapa invited him to form Crakasi, he wondered if they would succeed. But he is happy now that their dreams came true. He also called for support from Batswana saying without local support, they would be doomed.
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Crakasi is in negotiations with established musicians here to take them on board. They have not yet planned the launch for the new album.
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