HAPPY XMAS AND MERRY 2012
It has been another fantastic year for this column on its 8th year thanks to all the staff from your favourite newspaper and you, the reader. If I was to name all of you, we will feel this whole newspaper. But, let me acknowledge a few entertainment newsmakers of the year. Shanti-Lo, Ricky Lamar, Dramaboi, Kabelo & Charmer Gal, Gloria Kgosi, Bianca, The rise n rise of hip hop mix tapes, Wizards successful comeback with the super hit Mokento and the top two radio presenters in the country today Kealeboga Dihutso and Donald Seberane at Duma Fm. We wish all our loyal readers a great end of the year and fantastic New Year. Party hard and safely, le bonwe le botshela metsi ditsala starting today(Friday) at Matswelo Lodge with The Camp Chair Affair; Ol Skool vs New Skool @GICC, Dj Fresh and company @Matswelo Lodge tomorrow(Saturday); My Star 1st ever auditions in Maun on December 30th; Boosta Bash on December 31st @Lion Park; My Star Festival @Maun Stadium on December 31st; New Year’s Eve Gig and Blackhand Incorporated @GICC and Phakalane Golf Estate respectively; Back2Skul @Gaborone North on January 1st; Rejuvenation and Back2Skul After party on January 2nd at Wharic Park and Kagisong Centre respectively. Hope to see you again in the next…..

KARLI

KARLI’S KGANG KGOLO
Hip hop beat making in Botswana has improved in leaps and bounds. In no time there will be no difference between our beat makers and bana baga Obama’s. The likes of Hail Earth, Heaven Sent Productions and BK Proctor have been doing it for a while. Now they have been joined by high flying youngsters Rimzy, Risq and Karli Beatz. The latter’s mixtape Karli Beatz sounds so amazingly American save for the Setswana lyrics. The 21 track mix tape is so sweet, aaaah Swagger E Soo, Ama Do It, Tamatoi Sosos, Millionaire, Number One Girl, Botshelo Jwame, Dream Girl, Johnnie Walker, Extra Extra, Animal, Get Paid, Skima Nna and Ba Itse, can stand up against any big hip hop hits you have heard this year. An amazing mixtatpe that features some of the current hip hop heavyweights, Scar, Zeus, Konkrete, A.T.I, Noelo and newcomers Ozi F Freddy, Blain, Shay, Pk Maada, E.P.I.C, Milez, Hydroman and the next big thang Bone C! The one thing the fresh new beatmakers have to really master is the art of mixing and mastering. If they can get that on point, they can compete anywhere in the world. Mixtape gets 8 out of 10 Monnamogolo stars!

DJ Phazz & Kearoma

KHWEZI, LAZZIE, KEAROMA & DJ PHAZZ
It is amazing that Botswana got its first real world class produced music video less than ten years ago, the Mr Doe Hot 2 Trot video. In that short time up to now, the country boasts of some of the best produced hip hop videos in Africa. Khwezi and Lazzie’s latest videos of Mecury Rising and Want You Back respectively are a true testament of how far we have gone in such a short time. Monnamogolo has an exclusive copy of Lazzie’s album which is only coming out in March next year, eargasm folks, EARGASM! Artists from other music genres, especially Gospel, Disco, Mpaqanga, Traditional and House Kwasa should learn from the hip hop/R&B and Motswako artrists how to make great videos. Kearoma has just dropped one of the hottest Christmas tunes. Love it, love it, love it..just wish radio stations tsa Botswana could make it a bigger hit than Loliwe, just for once guys. Dj Phazz who would be performing in Namibia on New Year’s Eve has just dropped a hot single, Mama Afrika, produced by House University. Ramos, one of the brightest new R&B crooners has just dropped a great new album called Falsetto…we will review it fully in January, great album folks, go get it now, nice Xmas present!

JOJO

JOJO’S REIGN
New kid on the block Jojo is certain to shake the music industry with her velvet voice and unique style of traditional music. The 22 year old from Mmadinare who was born Rejoyce Gaonakala is the first product from CKGR Stable headed by Gilbert Seagile aka PP wa Pimp. She recently dropped her promotional CD which has already attracted attention from neighbouring countries. With her extensive knowledge of the industry even at such a young age, Jojo has managed to cut a niche for herself before she could even have her first debut album. The Mmatswale hit maker was the main attraction last Friday at the Kanye Cultural Week Reunion. On the 18th she is performed in Lesotho, where her song Mmatswale is on heavy rotation on local radio stations.

INTRODUCING KAY-KAY
If you thought Kwaito was no more, I have got news for you. Bounce Entertainment has brought Sghubu back through their artist Kay-Kay who has just dropped a single Indoda. Produced by E.J the song brings back the memories of the early 90’s when Mashamplani, Trompies and Alaska dominated the airwaves. This type of genre has over the years found the going tough with the growing popularity of House music and Durban kwaito. Whether Kay-Kay will be able to bring Kwaito’s glory days back is anyone’s guess.

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