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 VS CONTINUED...

It might be true or false but, to some argumentative levels, VS’s lyrical content on the hit song ‘O Icheke’ might be seen as an unfair violation of some men’s ‘rights’ to have fun as well as to forward the sexual and alcohol drinking lessons to young girls. It might also be a restricting tool denying young girls the only teen-age given opportunity to enjoy life and ‘learn’ about life from their elders – as it has always been in the tradition.

But as VS puts it, his lyrical content is point blank. “It’s just as you hear it. I’m just trying to speak out…to address the social ills,” he says exclusively to The MIC.

The song edges the ‘emotionally drowsy’ yet sexually sensitive men, to be vigilant when it comes to girls who dangle their sexually seductive actions before them. Usually occurring at clubs and bars at night, these types of ladies habitually have men clearing their fun time bills and, in some instances, later the unscheduled sex bills.

The message on the song boils to few words; be aware, think right and do the right thing. Initially directed to men in Gaborone, it spread to everyone in the country. It also created awareness to some young girls right through the country who finally discovered they might as well be a target for men they try to use. Some of them speak to VS wherever they see him. “They show me some love wherever I go. They tell me how some men are beginning to ‘loose tenders’,” he says meaning some of the teenage girls are now beginning to sideline the sugar daddies.

By VS’s account, some men are also beginning to address their marital problems in the best civil way possible instead of option for dazzling yet illusive young girls.

The song received massive airplay on radio stations due to the positive message it drives to the society. A thought provoking song that sparked mini debates, some lip-synched it in the streets while others made jokes out of it. But somehow, some human rights activists groups that promote safe-sex, fight against child abuse, battling to save marriages, striving to clear out AIDS out of the country and all ills that relate, didn’t hear the song, or they heard it and never found it suitable enough to maximise their objectives. “Not a lot of them have shown interest,” he says with concern on his face. But he does mention one of them that he worked with. “In Botswana people don’t take issues serious,” he observes.

On the other hand, a few companies take advantage of his momentum to speed up advertising campaigns. As he affirms, he shuns some for lack of quality assurance. “Their endorsements are not serious,” he says without further explaining. He says he is now working with a wireless phone company and a special messenger company on their advertising campaign. “They understand something,” he says.

But as it is, VS says the release of his album has brought change to his life. “In fact, I’m still seeing change…and I want to say this is only the beginning,” he declares. He says he has been talking with other rappers, Zeus and Stagga, on plans of how to take the hip-hop industry to the next better level. “I want to put Botswana on the map…and I’m doing it for my people,” he adds. He also says there have been phone calls from South Africa from people who want his music.

He is now working on a new album due out next year. The single from the album, ‘Rocka Babe’, produced at Basement, already promises to be a hit with hip-hop lovers. Having heard the track, it won’t be too off track to say the boy has found his hip-hop grazing grounds. nkgotla@gmail.com

ABOUT POSTA

by Nkgotla Baleseng

From every corner of the country, rappers fearlessly emerge amongst cruel labels like Americans wannabe, fakes, Ma-Amerika and a confused bunch that forms part of the lost generation. In response, they fiercely spit sassy and explicitly swearing lyrics to suppress anyone daring to stand before them. They also beg for mercy by demanding to be recognised as Masters of Ceremonies (MCs) disseminating info on their life experiences. Mpho Phometsi aka Posta is one of the rappers in this country with defensive lyrics towards whoever cares to stop him.

A clear insight of Posta’s arrival into the rap music industry was through the video of his song, ‘Raise Em Up High’ on the local TV channels. The club scene with lights of all colours, the exciting to watch girls as they exuberated some sexually charged dance moves. Making the album more popular was one fact; that the song carries strong elements of the late Aaliya’s song ‘More Than A Woman’. That made it to the street talks of controversy mongers who exchanged rumour that the song was stolen. Surrounding himself with girls who sing well on the backing vocals, also brought more spice to the album.

On a one-on-one chart with him, Posta says he fell for a lifestyle soaked in strong hip-hop values when growing up. He stylishly dressed hip-hop, musically entertained his taste buds with hp-hop rhythms and romantically decorated himself with all affordable accessories related. That was enough to inspire a start in the biz.

In 2006 he put together his 1^st ten track album called ‘I’m In The Game’. “I was introducing myself to the hip-hop game,” he says. The track ‘Raise Em Up High’ made it as a hit among some though he was accused of stealing Aaliya’s song. Posta repels this. He says it was never Aaliya’s song. “That’s the sample of a song from 1956/60 orchestra or choir. It’s available for use for free. Aaliya also took it from there”, he says with emphasis of why there hasn’t been any law suit.

   Posta might not be very popular among ordinary citizens who are not deeply into the genre of hip-hop but he still claims to wear a greater crown than the more popular hip-hop artists. “I’m above their level. They are more popular because of favouritism by radio DJs and promoters,” he says. “It’s all dependent on where you are, who you know and how you pay them to be exposed,” he adds boldly.

   He has released his second album titled ‘The Boss is Back’. It is the first of its kind, as judged by this journo, since Botswana’s music industry unveiling. It is a double CD. The first CD carries all songs of the new album and the second CD carries videos from both the latest and the previous album and all the footages that matter.

He entered the KORA awards which he did not qualify for but takes pride in his generosity. He invited the local traditional group, Dikakapa, to enter and they qualified though they did not win. To his own delight, he sold a few copies of his 1^st album in the UK and the US. He also gave a few copies to five of Nigeria’s radio stations as well as Power FM in Zimbabwe. As to how well the DJs there make use of his music he says; “I always get feedback”.

   Posta has a few other projects scheduled for release in 09. The 1^st project is for kids with age range of 5 and 12 called Posta vs Tony G Dibango house vol 1. He says the project is all about kids singing is house tunes and it’s all well done and ready for release. The second project is his third album and the third project is the movie.

   As the editor of a local music program, Afro Vibes, with GBC TV, he says he doesn’t play his video all the time. “I play my video once a month to avoid conflict,” he says.