21 May 2017

The media, music industry partners and stakeholders graced Masa Capitol Cinemas for the private viewing of MMP Family’s second single titled Money in the bank music video which features hip hop star, Dramaboi in an event meant to broaden the MMP Family and Dramaboi brand and also celebrate the growth of the music industry.

The hit song is derived from the trio’s third album titled MMP on a mission which they are currently working on, and it follows the first single from the album Kwela Kwela which is dominating the airwaves.

Speaking at the event titled Money in the bank red carpet video premier, Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development, Kefentse Mzwinila congratulated MMP Family and commended them for working with Dramaboi, saying such showed growth in the music industry.

“We embrace artistes excellence being displayed in the collaboration of MMP Family and Dramaboi. This is indeed a commendable effort that we use as an example to encourage the spirit of unity in the performing arts,” he said.

He said the MMP Family proved to be talented artistes, noting that since their arrival in the performing arts industry over a decade ago, they performed in live circuits and for that they should be celebrated.

Mzwinila said their hard work and perseverance paid off as they had won various awards including the Botswana Music Union awards and Yarona FM Music awards in 2015.

Originality and creativity, he explained, were one among key elements in the production of music.

Successful musicians have an undeniable originality about them, that is influenced by their environment, Mzwinila said.

The influence, he said, was brought about by many factors, the most crucial being musicians culture.

He explained that there was a relationship between culture and the creative industry, and that artistes as custodians of culture were the modern-day philosophers because they reflected on social discourse and provided an avenue for the expression of such through their God-given talent.

 Thus, what they express through their craft was a reflection of our society, stated Mzwinila.

“It is quite evident that this industry plays a very crucial role in Botswana, not only as a source of employment creation for our youth, but also as a means of cultural expression,” he added.

The assistant minister noted the immense contribution government afforded the music industry.

“We celebrate not only the success of this beautiful music video. We pride ourselves with the thought and appreciation that the video was shot in the beautiful heights and scenery of this country by a group of talented and committed young people,” he said.

He acknowledged that his ministry understood that artists were faced with many challenges and invited artists to provide them with direction to come up with solutions to the challenges and task the ministry to implement solutions.

Mzwinila further applauded MMP Family and Dramaboi for their endurance, regardless of challenges they met on their way and implored everyone in the music industry and the business community to take a leaf from the noble cause of supporting the creative industry. ENDS