HOLLYWOOD STARS FOR GABZ

The Gaborone Fashion Week billed for 10-11 August will see the arrival of Tyson Beckford, Sessile Lopez and Quincy Combs who is rap-mogul Sean Diddy’s step son.

Beckford perhaps is biggest of the three having acted in movies such as Pandora’s Box, Hotel California and Biker Boyz.  The two day event is expected to attract hundreds of people each day, who will be lured by the presence of this A-lister, and perhaps with a shameless hope of a picture opportunity. The annual show is organized by the internationally acclaimed London based fashion designer Koketso Chiepe.

The designer said the show gives local designers an opportunity to market themselves to the international market. Former Miss Botswana and Miss World First Princes Emma Wareus who is the face of GFW will also grace the occasion alongside Lopez who will be making her second appearance in the country.

ANCENSTRAL BONFIRE NIGHT

Have you ever imagined a bonfire night on the legendary and mysterious Moremi hills?

Have you heard all the odd stories about this beautiful place, are they really true? Find out this Sunday as Morobosi Series Late Night Society present to you the Kamp Maraty’ne Ancestral Bornfire Night. This is a rare event showcasing ancestral and tribal house music by the underground DJs and few guest Djs from RSA.

The event is hosted by a group of Guys from the Tswapong area who formed a social group called Morobosi. It usually rotates around three Tswapong areas and usually during prominent public holidays to hype up the sleepy villages. Each event is given a theme and this year Kamp Maratyane will be hosted on the foot of Tswapong hills (Manonnye Gorge an.  Set at the Lotsane riverbank enroute to the famous Moremi waterfalls, this free for all event offers an outing of a lifetime in the tranquil of the Tswapong forest where only the drum beat will rule.

All one needs to bring is a tent, chair and all the necessary fluids. Local Deejays and many from SA will entertain revelers while De Sal will perform on the night.

SKOROKORO VOL 2 OUT

Kalakuta Records have followed up the success of Skorokoro with a Volume 2 compilation comprising of 12 songs.

If you want to hear new stuff from Tidimalo, Mercy M, Myras, T Bouz and many other Kalakuta artists this one is for you. It is an album that has everything for everyone, be it traditional, disco, Afro-pop and house, the CD is loaded with all local genres. The album comes at a time where records sales are at their lowest and many artist and promoters are struggling to make ends meet.

We will have to wait to see how the unpredictable local market reacts to this compilation. My favourite tracks are Seile seponono, Ausi yona and Lephontsha; the latter threw me back to the days of Lena Khama and Girlie Mafura when Christmas was still a day to look forward to. The album gets 7 out of 10.

SKINFLINT GOES BIG

There was never a doubt on my mind that Skinflint will go international one day.

From their experimental album Inside Scar and then their crunchier album Massive Destruction and the phenomenal Iklwa album that had even the doubting Thomases nodding in appreciation, the trio has finally arrived. Skinflint has been exposed to at least 15 million viewers through their interview on CNN/Inside Africa. The interesting interview beamed last week Tuesday and was repeated on Wednesday morning.

It will not surprise me that very soon these metal coated head bangers will be touring Europe on a larger scale. I have said Shanti Lo is the likely local artist to break into the UK/American market, but now I’m convinced that he will have the leather clad trio by his side. Congratulations guys; keep rocking.

EXCITING TURN OF EVENTS

When Master D started MyStar a couple of years ago many, including myself were skeptical of the project.

Was it another fly by night music competition that would be more beneficial to the producer rather than the artists? Well that answer has been answered MyStar has now become a national project that is boldly knocking on all the appropriate doors. The former reggae star had stuck to his guns and he is now standing on the brink of success, especially that some people have begun to take notice. The announcement by DPSM that all the top three contestants will be sponsored to pursue a music course is a milestone and something worth celebrating. Congratulations to Sharon, Ayanda and Motswafere. I can’t wait for the next edition of OurStars..

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