12 Aug 2024

The Music and Coffee event hosted by Goth Rose at the Ginger Pink Bakery was an opportunity for the country’s less known gems to shine. 

BOPA interviewed  one of the artists, pianist, singer, and songwriter, Justine Mkhutshwa, known by his stage name, Jace. 

Jace, whose work has been featured by renowned local artists such as Boago Fenju, Puna Gabasiane, Khoisan, and ATI among others, left the crowd in awe with his debut live performance. 

“I’m a pianist, singer, songwriter, and arranger for Roc Lefatshe Records, also known as Bantu Republic. I’ve worked with many artists across different genres,” he shared. 

Although Jace has been contributing behind the scenes as a pianist, writer, and arranger, it was not until early 2024 that he began recording his own music. 

Speaking about his upcoming projects, Jace revealed that his debut four-track album, Chasing the Dream, was set to drop by the end of the month. He expressed his excitement to finally share his work with the world. 

Despite his success collaborating with other artists, Jace mentioned that he was yet to sign split sheets for some of the songs he had worked on, as he was not yet registered as an artist with Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS). 

“Once I’m registered, I’ll be able to receive royalties and be properly credited as a writer,” he explained. 

Jace’s love for music began at the age of five in church, where his mother served as a choir director. “Being born into a musical family, I embraced music differently from an early age,” he reflected. 

Commenting on the event, Goth Rose, the mastermind behind the ‘Music and Coffee’ event, described the show as a celebration of Botswana’s music, poetry, and fashion. 

The event was vibrant, with attendees donning checkered plaid outfits to honour the theme. The show was truly a spectacle.    ENDS