13 Jul 2016

 After a year and a half of transition from semiprofessional musician to a professional, Lizibo of Tjimunyamunya and Wakanaka fame will take his followers through his journey. 

This he will be doing musically in concert and simply titled ‘Lizibo; My Story.’ The concert will as it states tell his story as a musician. Now what will Lizibo’s music career tale be without the likes of KTM, Royal Tenors, Mr Tag, Kgotla and his producer Tshepo Lesole; these among others have been instrumental and inspiring in his career as an artiste and he got musical nurture and nourishment from these acts. 

Besides the concert being a narration of his musical journey, it also is a showcase of how he has developed as a musician especially since the transition to venture into music business.

When he presented his first album to the audience, Lizibo says he did not understand then what his audience appealed to. But now he says he understands his audience’s preference ranging from corporate, weddings as well as all audience across board. 

With maturity in his second album and a different sound, Lizibo promises his fans inspiration, motivation and emotional communication in the ‘Lizibo, My Story,’ concert.

He says his fans will come out of the concert encouraged; he says he now understands his audience and he knows what to offer them unlike in his first attempt when putting together an album. 

As a professional muso, Lizibo says he has since learnt music is not just a passion but a business especially if one is to make it. He says he now sees himself as a business man rather than just a musician. 

Hence he says all elements that makes business a success are in place; from financials which seem to be a challenge among performing artistes, marketing as well as bookings.

Lizibo says everything is now business and he does not make decisions alone nor plan alone, “there are specific people for specific tasks and they are employed.”

Although he encountered challenges during his transition, he nevertheless says he is glad he took that path. 

He says the scary part was self-doubt as the culture of non-approval of the performing arts is still rife among Batswana. However, he says it has been smooth and he is doing well as a professional. 

Lizibo says there are future plans for collaborations with “artistes from outside our shores, but I am of the view that Botswana arts need to first solidly establish their careers and get recognition and value by the industry outside our shores before they can collaborate with foreign artistes.” 

He is of the view that at the moment foreign artistes or the international music industry see Botswana artistes as talent and maybe great for cultural exchange.
 Therefore, he says Batswana need to see music industry as a business as “that is when collaborations will be of value not only to artistes individually but to the country.”  

Lizibo, My Story concert will be staged at Maitisong on July 23 featuring KTM, Royal Tenors, Mr Tag, Kgotla and Tshepo Lesole. ENDS