13 Jul 2015

His passion for school music could be traced back to his childhood days when he was actively involved in school talent shows.

He believed music and the arts makes life more worth living, that without them people lose hold of their culture and diversity.

At the age of 28, the Tsabong born Thabo Bimbo, otherwise known to his adoring fans as Tizo is still going strong in growing the Tizo brand.

“After completing my Cambridge certificate, I chose to focus on music production. I have learnt to appreciate music at an early age and have always believed music is truly a wonderful resource,” he observed.

He had a soft spot for Kwaito from the word go,  he said he enjoyed the lyrical content and the energetic choreography that he saw in South African stars such as the late Brenda Fassie, Mdu, Mandoza and Athur Mafokate.

“I used to listen to a lot of township music back in the days and i must admit that is how i got my first admiration of Kwaito.”

Although kwaito is usually sung in Zulu, Afrikaans and English he chose to stick with Setswana his mother tongue.

“I write my own songs and with the inspiration from everywhere i go and every matter that resembles life in general, and that is something that i trust everyone can relate to.’’
He said.

Tizo narrated that a music career like any other discipline requires one to work extra hard to get positive results.

He said he believes in branding oneself as an artist, as it goes beyond logos and merchandise items.

“Branding is all about awareness, both of yourself as an artist and the public’s mental positioning of you,” he said.

For people to always tune in, he said an artist needs to always be authentic and always be true to themselves.

He said he looked up to local artists such as Vee Mampeezy and had worked with Mr. Tagg who guided him through the music journey from scratch.

“I am indebted to Mr. Tagg. He listened to my recordings, read my song scripts and he did shed a light on me on a number of things about the music industry.”
Lekgwatlha, his first studio album was released in 2006 with the hit song Omega.

In 2008 he changed studios from Real Deal Records to So Hype Records under the management of Massie Hule.

“My album did not perform well but that didn’t pull me down at any point,” said Tizo.

In 2010, he said he dropped his second album titled ITS ON which featured local music giants namely T.H.A.B.O with the song Accelerator and Punah with Pelorobala.
Tizo scooped position 2 for the best new comer category at the President’s day competitions in 2012.

He had since performed at the local talent show’s Mokaragana and had shared stage with fellow artists such as MMP family, Dedco, Stompie just to name but a few. He said he also performed at various festivities around the country including his home village, Tsabong and surrounding places.

Working in line with the Setswana saying, ‘Monna ga a we, WA sekama,’ Tizo is determined to push harder to prove what he is all about.

He said the journey has never been easy, like many say ‘it is not for the faint-hearted’ he understands that there is still a long way to go.

He is now running his own company ‘Tizmatize Productions’ and working with upcoming artists namely Mampumalanga and Tassy-B.

“Investing in talent is a wise choice and i don’t regret my career choice in any way, i believe in myself and i am pleading for any potential sponsor out there to work with me and they will not regret it,” attested Tizo.

He explained that he is working day and night trying to rebuild his fan base, and that her mother Peggy Bimbo is very supportive.’

People regard artists as role models and my family always encouraged me to be humble and respect the next person,’ said Tizo.

He said he wants to prove a point that he is not all about making money from his music but also wants to play a part in passing positive messages, touch the hearts, bring a smile or even better save a life.

He added that he is fulfilled by giving back to the community, adding that he had taken part in charity campaigns at the SOS Children’s village in Tlokweng.

“My mother is a Fashion designer and has always dressed me and my dancers.
She is currently sponsoring a charity campaign whereby i do perform my music, present a motivational speech and donate school uniforms to the less privileged school going children in and around my community.”

Tizo is busy cooking up his third album towards end of 2015 titled Ba Mpha Ba Mpona. “I promise my fans nothing but fire out of my third offering.

I just love Contemporary African Pop music and that is why i present to my fans a fusion of Kwaito and Afro Pop, “said Tizo.

He added an afro beat onto that slower tempo, catchy melodic and deep bass lines and vocals which he hopes will mesmerise listeners, adding that he is going to feature artists like PK Maada, ATI and many more to be revealed soon.

He said he trusts that his idea will attract both young and the old, which his fan base will resonate with him in his new and fresh craft.

His album title, he said was influenced by the fake smiles and hypocrites that he has met in the industry.  

He said his fans could relate to that as well, that they should always look out for and protects themselves from fake friends.

“My people should also expect a single titled “Maruping,” end of July 2015.

He said the song in particular is a home coming anthem that explains the saying ‘there is no place like home.

He said he knows he is always welcomed, no matter what and that he appreciate that he is always soothed and comforted.

He said while working around the clock with the finishing touches to his upcoming album, he is also on about producing merchandise including T-shirts, caps, sweaters and overalls. Ends