11 Dec 2014

Arnold Matshaba known to his fans as Papa Onx has released a single dubbed Fly-Machine.



The rhumba star started his music career in 2011 as a way of imparting message and information to the people through music.



Papa Onx said in an interview that his first album with six tracks called Bina le Papa was recorded and released in 2011, adding that he performed some of the songs in the local talent show Mokaragana on Botswana Television.


He indicated that the “Fly-Machine” single is a re-load of the current CD and songs in his first album which he has upgraded and made them fit into the market to sell fast.


Songs in the album include Potso, Mmino wa Aferika, Wa Lorato, Bakgweetsi Tlhokomelang, Mongwe le Mongwe and the title track Bina le Papa.

 The single was released towards the end of November this year.

He said all his Rumba songs were in Setswana language which helps him to easily express himself in writing and singing the songs.



Papa Onx said his big challenge was selling the album as he marketed and distributed the album himself.



“The shows I have performed include the Sojwe show during the Mmantshwabisi festival and other events at Moshupa and other places where I mostly perform in weddings which helps me market myself”, he said.



He said the music industry in Botswana was challenging since he had to book halls and ensure that he performed all by himself. He also said sometimes turn out was low but the expenses had to be paid for.


“The main challenge in the music industry that we upcoming artists are facing is of marketing and distributing our products and working as a team is always a challenge since people are mostly held up by other jobs”

He said challenges of transport for the team and equipment was always discouraging since the support was poor in the local industry, adding that lack of resources was the main challenge in music industry.

Papa Onx said the airplay was not satisfactory in radio stations, adding that stations should support them by playing their music. He said he had released a video for one song in his album called Bakgweetsi Tlhokomelang.

He noted that he intends to shoot a video for all the songs that he had recorded, adding that his plan was to grow in the music industry and make a living through music as well as pass important messages to the audience.

Papa Onx encouraged other upcoming artistes to work hard and be patient in anything they want to do and believe in themselves.



“My wish is to work with other artists in the music industry both upcoming and well-known artistes and in future I will love to see my music selling outside Botswana and performing outside the country to sell Botswana”, he said. ENDS