15 Sep 2016

Kwasa-kwasa artist, Albert Tom, says his fourth album, titled Tsa Lefatshe has been doing well in the market since its release in May.

The Jwaneng-based muso revealed in an interview that his six-track album has songs being Ko Gantsi, Alberto o Gorogile, Maleme ko Ntle, Domboshaba, Mkhazi Wangu and the title track Tsa Lefatshe.

“I will say that so far the album is doing well because all the 500 CD copies that I made with the intension of introducing the album to the people were bought within a short period of time. This meant that I had to cut more copies before I lose my fans,” Alberto said.

Talking about the inspiration behind the album, Alberto said all the songs in his album were written because of some life experiences.

He explained that being in the music industry since 2000, taught him that everyday life experiences made good music because of its rawness truth thus the public is able to relate well with songs.

“All the songs in my album were inspired by my experiences in this life and I found it fitting to make songs about some of the things that I went through. My believe is that music is supposed to heal one’s soul as we all go through similar experiences in life and hence the message of every song should be relevant to the public,” he explained.

About the two Kalanga songs in his album being Domboshaba and Mkhazi Wangu, Alberto who is Kalanga by birth explained that with the former song he wanted to appreciate his heritage as the

Domboshaba holds a special place in the Kalanga culture.

The song Mkhazi Wangu which is an appreciation of a woman’s love, Alberto said that it is sung in Kalanga language to show that even Kwasa Kwasa songs can have a romantic message just like

RnB and other genres. Moreover he emphasized that the two songs are sung in Kalanga to promote the language in the country and beyond borders.

“One thing I have realized in our country is that people are used to Kwasa Kwasa being sung in Setswana and Lingala language from Democratic Republic of Congo where the music originates.

But when one has songs in one of the languages in our country, the fans are always curious of the lyrics and meaning of song that on its own shows that we are moving somewhere as a nation in learning our different languages in the country.

It will be so nice one day to have an album in full Kalanga and still be relatable to everyone because they understand the language,” he narrated.

On plans to promote his new album, Alberto explained that he will soon be travelling in the North introducing the album to the people and from there move to the South while also shooting a music video that is expected to be released during the festive season.

Alberto encouraged the public to support artists in the country by buying their original CDs not the pirated ones as by doing so they kill their talents as artists.

He appreciated the media houses for the continuous support they have for local artists and wished that more could be done by stakeholders to promote the local music.

The Kwasa Kwasa artist also showed hope in his album that it will sell better than all the albums he has ever released.
Alberto started as a Disco singer where he released an album titled Ndibo My Son in 2004 in which he worked with the late Bushi Lebatlamang also known as Lebasho.

In 2006 he moved to Kwasa Kwasa and released his first Kwasa Kwasa album titled Ke Tlaareng followed by Botshelo in 2011. ENDS