AN EAGER BEAVER IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Today’s feature is with none other than a singer and producer Mopati Ngidi, a Southern African alternative musician famously known as “7DaysOfSummer.”
Mopati is a 26-year-old born in January, 1995 artist who has lived in the suburbs of Phakalane from the age of 5 along with his family of 5, his parents and two siblings. Just as expected of a suburban lifestyle, Ngidi had a good childhood as his parent made sure he had everything that he wanted as a child. “I went to private schools and all that.” He said.
Three interesting facts about me would be:
-I do not have a lot of female partners.
-I do not drink a lot.
-I do not listen to Hip Hop, but listen to House music.
“I learnt how to make music about 3 years ago and I have been lucky to be around people that know the game in and out.” Mopati added. So it was not hard for him to get a hold of things. However, he mentioned that process is quite different from others’, because he does everything himself, including mixing. “I do everything all at the same time. I make the beat as I record my vocals and write them down at the same time.” He stated. Not forgetting to put down a basic mix. This is however an advantage for him as when it is time to do the final part he does not struggle as much. He said it works better for him because he always gets what he wants out of a song.
Although it is extremely difficult in the music industry, 7DaysOfSummer says it is worth being as independent as he has been. He said, “The experience when you learn something new is different, you have nobody to limit your vision but yourself.”
He is with a collective named Foreign Dimension. Furthermore, the young performer identifies his work ethics as to work very hard, and have minimal play. Supporting his previous mention of doing everything that involves music by himself, he exclaimed, “People in this country are selfish, and it hurts to say that until we come together to fight, we will not have a loud enough voice. None the less, there are a lot of talented musicians in this section of the continent. It sometimes amazes me how much I discover everyday… It is just sensational.”
If I could tell my younger musician-self anything, then I would tell him to keep on keeping on and not letting your friends listen to bad music. I am one with Foreign Dimension and all that is affiliated with the collective. We all learn from each other because we are all very different in our own ways. We adopt each other’s traits and are not selfish with knowledge. Money is also important everywhere.
The singer pinpoints himself as determined to make a name for himself and bring up Rhythm and Blues in Botswana. With singles like Day 5 of 7 dropped a while back which basically talks about what happens to him on a good Friday night. Official Girl is a song I recorded for my late girlfriend Deliwe, may her soul rest in peace. “I also released a compilation of seven songs. I spread them across 7 Sunday’s, dropping one every week. We called it SAALTE Sunday’s Selection 1 Selection 2, by 7DaysOfSummer. Maxx Tokeyo did the first selection.” He added.
So far 7DaysOfSummer has received extraordinary responses concerning his work, as he said, “mainly that I am of international standard and destined for greatness.”
Maverick Kabelo is the founder and editorial director of Africa’s Very Own Magazine. Kabelo is a business student, digital media enthusiast/entrepreneur, creative, writer and content creator. He started writing when he was just 16 after founding the magazine on Facebook.
