14 Aug 2013

Botswana’s renowned music producer, Bokang ‘Bk’ Proctor of Basement Records says music has the potential to contribute towards the reduction of poverty in the country.

In his mission to help artists who are not able to start it on their own, Bk identified a gap and took advantage of available avenues to create wealth for the less fortunate yet talented. The talented and versatile producer is working on his fifth music album titled Bk Proctor Volume 5: The Unknown, featuring some upcoming talented artists or musicians.

Bk believes that there are a lot of talented musicians in the country, mostly out of school youth and the unemployed who cannot afford to pay recording studios. He has therefore extended a helping hand to these youth who are not signed to any record label and are just wandering about with their talent.

“I could see the hunger of being a successful artist from these young people who do not have any means of putting up an album,” noted Bk.

He said he also sees himself in these aspiring artists; explaining that he used to be ambitious and would sing and perform anywhere just to be recognized until he made it to where he is now.   According to Bk, auditions are already taking place in Gaborone every weekend for the talent waiting to be polished and nurtured.

However, he emphasized that only those who have the potential to make it in the industry and show keen interest to learn and work hard will make it through.

He said they will be travelling to other parts of the country as they believe there is talent outside the city. “We as Basement Records believe that there is talent in Botswana and a lot of it does not only come from Gaborone. Therefore, we intend to get artists from all over Botswana,” stated Bk.

“We are looking for extremely talented artists, and there will be serious screening during the auditions. At the moment we have already auditioned over 100 artists,” stated Bk. He explained that despite the high number, they still have not reached the standard quality they are looking for, adding that auditions which are not only for solo artists but also for duets and collaborations will be conducted every weekend.

Bk advised young aspiring artists to understand the path they want to take by bringing something fresh and unique.  The new album, according to Bk is a variety of genres, which are not too far apart. Music lovers should expect poetry, hip hop, rhythm and blues, soft rock and soft kwaito in this album, which will feature close to 25 upcoming new talents with well over 15 songs, he added.

Bk Proctor has always been known for unearthing, developing and showcasing young talented artists. Previously, he has worked with names such as Vee, Eugene Jackson, Scar, Jujuboy, Mosako, Steez, Stagga and many others.

The album is a series of albums which are set to unearth, develop and launch more new talented artists and musicians who will carry the torch and be the new generation of artists in Botswana.

The project, he said, began in 2007 with Bk Proctor Vol 1, 2, 3, 4. The mix albums have produced renowned and established artists and musicians in Botswana.

His latest additions to Basement Records, besides this exciting album are MMP Family and Mogolodi Kegope aka 2BEARD (2B). MMP Family was last year voted the Best Kwaito group at the Botswana Music Union (BOMU) awards. Ends