Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
29 October 2009
Gaborone — Today marks the release of Franco alias Frank Lesokwane's ninth music album since his smash debut Ke Lela LeLona in 2001.
The new album titled Baesekele, or bicycle, appears to have been inspired by, among others, the recent general elections, with two tracks in particular paying tribute to local politics. This is not surprising for someone who had been so busy in the run-up to the general election, at the behest of political parties, wooing potential voters at star rallies.
Franco admits that he performed at more than six political rallies ahead of the October 16 general election. But this is rhumba, or kwasa-kwasa, as many love to call it, and Franco in this interview, ahead of his tour of Namibia this weekend, promised that the latest offering would be a joy to kwasa-kwasa enthusiasts. He picked the song Botswana O Godile as something to look out for, especially after performing it recently, at Culture Spears' products launch at the Chez N temba Garden.
Franco says the album is partly geared towards celebrating the growth of Botswana music.
In many ways Franco is the symbol of the immense growth of the local music industry. His debut album in 2001, Ke Lela Le Lona, was a massive success, while the second album, Ba Ntatola also surpassed expectations. In fact Franco recently told Mmegi Showbiz that Ba Ntatola's sales outclassed Ke Lela Le Lona's performance on the market.
As if that were not enough, Mamane Robala, with smash hit success such as Tipi ya Mokwatla, released in 2007 set a new sales record, according to Franco. He would not disclose the actual figures.Franco tells Showbiz that Ba Ntatola is still doing very well in Namibia where his music distribution company frequently supplies various shops.
According to him, the last album, Kotikoti, has also peaked in South Africa where his blend of music has proven popular. In fact, Franco has been able to transform his life thanks to the revenue generated from album sales and concerts. Last year, he launched a lodge at his home village of Gabane near Gaborone. He hires out a sound system, and has established a strong music distribution wing, which is also distributing records for various local musicians, at a fee. Franco has also been establishing his own record company, which releases music talent with successful groups like Rockas, and lately the Animals.However, it has not been plain sailing for Franco during the last 10 years at the helm of the industry and in particular as the kwasa-kwasa genre boss. His band, Afro Musica, disbanded in 2005 following squabbles over payments, forcing the muso to hire new players and dancers, while some of his releases in the past failed to match his huge reputation. Franco's new release comes at a time when he is celebrating the birth of his first child since he got married a year ago. His baby boy is only 12-days today. But Franco is not the one to take leave and celebrate the birth of his baby boy. " You have got to be determined to be doing what I'm doing. My boy is only 10-days-old (during the interview on Tuesday), but I try to balance things. In the morning I do company management issues, in the afternoon, it is practice sessions, and on weekends we have concerts. My wife manages the lodge."
"It can be a taxing schedule, but at the end of the day, I'm back home with the family, if I can't come the same day due to concerts, they know I will be with them the next day.
I manage to juggle all these responsibilities in the same way a primary school teacher manages to teach five subjects," Franco explains.Interestingly the new album is being distributed today countrywide. Later in the afternoon, Franco and company will be driving to Namibia for two shows in Gobabis and Walvis Bay tomorrow and Saturday.
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