06 Oct 2015

Born Ntsholeng Seetso in Manyana, jazz artist, Citie, wants to return to his fame as an influential muso. His talent gained first recognition at Botswana Music Camp where he was mentored by Andile Yanana. 

At that time Citie was seen as a talented marimba player, with a good ear and no formal music education. It was Andile Yanana who urged Citie to consider taking music seriously. 

This early inspiration and financial help from the then functioning Mambo Arts  Commune led Citie to Durban, where he persevered for six years to acquire Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of Natal. 

“The degree was a considerable achievement for me as I had no formal training in music and had to spend many hours practicing sight reading and basic music routines like scales and arpeggios. But it was my stay in Durban that inspired me to aim high in music. I learnt to practice hard and work on my music regularly.”

After finishing his degree, Citie decided to return to Botswana where he believed that he could become a leader in the field of music. Immediately after finding his first job as a performing arts officer at BDF. He then produced his first album Initiation that led to performances in several jazz festivals in the region. It has been three years since he stepped out of the music scene, but now Citie is back to regain his throne.

“I am back to take what is mine”, he said. What better way to celebrate his return than to record a second album dubbed The City is Mine, .

One of the songs; Mosadi would be another soulful shade of Citie, which taps one’s inner being with its melodic and rhythmic blend;

The album, he said, was a musical expression of his life experience as a man who grew up with a strong respect for women.’

“Women inspire me, women are the pillar of the nation, and my wife is a true reflection of the words that string through this song, I love my wife and appreciate her so much’’, he said.

According to his personal profile, Citie’s music career was accompanied by turbulent and trying times that made him step outside the music scene.

After some soul searching and self revival, he traced his life back into music and now even better, by adding his melodic voice behind the instruments. He has grown and learnt from all his life happening.

“The music industry isn’t easy, it needs perseverance and hard work, nothing comes easy,” he said. 

Citie’s music is a fusion influenced blend of American and African sounds.  Citie’s heroes include Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clark, Victor Wooten, Fourplay, George Benson and Richard Bona. He is a great believer in improvisation and loves to include lots of jazz harmony.  Some of Citie’s songs have elements of Botswana traditional music blended with a modern jazzy feel.

“I grew up in Gaborone ,I believe the music I play is really nice because I took a 3yr break from the industry to take back what is mine, I am coming to reclaim my spot as an influential musician in the city, I am coming back to claim my throne and take it back”, said Citie.

“I am proud of my journey as an artist. I am a full time musician and do not know of any other career,” he said.  Ends