MAKHIRIKHIRI

KULENYANE

Selebi-Phikwe — The self styled "Shumba" or Lion of traditional music, Shumba Ratshega, is ready to roar. Although the Bobirwa artist is not releasing any album this year, he revealed to Showbiz that his group, Ditawana, "will be going into the studio any time" to release its debut album. Ratshega, whose second smash hit album, Makhirikhiri earned him the Best Traditional Track award at the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) awards ceremony last December, said he would only release another album next January. Shumba said Ditawana is a group that specialises in Dikhwaere music and expects it to make a huge impact in a genre that has been flooded by local artists. He said the new album is expected out next week. Regarding the success of Makhirikhiri, Shumba said the album had received rave reviews even beyond the country's borders, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. "It is a big album wherever you go. After the festive season we will be releasing another album. In Makhirikhiri, I was greeting Batswana through the song Dumelang Batswana, so we have to continue," Ratshega said. He said that he is still part of the traditional group, Re Tlare Ke Dipitse which sprang to launch what has turned out to be a successful solo career. Ratshega believes that the influx of traditional music artists is down to musicians rushing to the studios with raw copies. He said there is need for artists to thoroughly work on their pieces before releasing their albums. Ratshega said he was confident when he ventured into traditional music and was aware of the tense competition in the genre. "I got in when the competition was tough. It was during the time when Kulenyane (from Culture Spears) was hot and Matsieng was doing its thing. So I knew I had to be up to it," Ratshega said. He said he knew he had hit the right note when the group had a tough time coming up with the title of the album. All the songs were hits, said Ratshega. Despite the stiff competition, Ratshega said he was not competing with any artist, but instead wanted to improve on his last offing. "I want people to know that I am not competing with anyone. I want to produce something better than Makhirikhiri. I am not involved in any fight with any artist," Ratshega said. He spoke against the use of vulgar language, which has become prevalent in the industry as artists use it to gain popularity. Ratshega said he conveys his message in a dignified manner without resorting to vulgar language. The chubby Ratshega recently released a DVD of Makhirikhiri and said it has been well received. At the weekend, he performed at the Nico United FC's prize-giving ceremony in Selebi-Phikwe where he belted out tunes from the 10-track Makhirikhiri. Ratshega showed that he had lost none of his touch and proved that his songs were still popular.