SEREETSI AND THE NATIVES MIND BLOWING COLLABORATION
Multi award winning contemporary artist, Sereetsi and The Natives, brought a different melody for his fans on his highly anointed third album that features well recognised singers and song writers from across the world. He is well known for his Africa – tswana cultured contemporary and jazz feel music.
This multitalented singer does not need any introductions as he managed to sweep the crowd off their feet with his first and second album. The “Thaa kokome” hit maker continues to wow Batswana with his well written Setswana songs and unique beats,now with his current third album which features international artists. It seems to have put him on the spotlight of critic as fans are buying the new album to get its feel.
The new album which is titled “I am Africa” has nine tracks where he features popular national and international singers and songwriters. The album features the sounds of Botswana’s very own “Sedi Laaka” hit maker, Han-C. He also features one of Nigeria’s well renowed song writer and singer Brymo whose popularity is well known all across Africa. In one of the songs he features Jackie Venson, who is one of the United States star and multi-award winner, guitarist and song writer. It also features one of South Africas jazz piano mastro and multi award winner, Bokani Dryer. He went as far as featuring one of Zambia’s superstars, Wezi and James, Swedish soul singer, Oscar as well as South Africas multi award winner, Berita.
It is not everyday where one wakes up and decides to do something different when it comes to what they offer, especially in music. Sereetsi took a big leap of faith when it comes to changing the sound and feel of his new album. “The sound is more of an old and also more of a new sound” Sereetsi commented. He believes that his album is the perfect medium of his first and second album, the first which presented what is thought to be a traditional sound in a new light, which his fans view as making folk music fashionable.
He has managed to ensure that he presents his folk music in a rythym that still depicts past life and tradition. With his third album, he works with singers and song writers who have brought their concept and style of music into his new album which he has managed to construct and present in a way that carries the same folk feel that his music is all about.
The core of his new album is still folk music infused with other elements. He viewed his new collaboration as a setup of sharing tradition, where each collaborator brought their own thing. He noted that the most amazing thing about the album is that his co-singers and songwriters were bringing new concepts into his world, they are guests in his house and it wasn’t meant to change the concept and direction of his music completely. Sereetsi stated that for this collaboration he had already created the music and subject of what he wanted to cover in the album, which each collaborator came in and made the assigned song theirs by nailing it.
The album is titled “I am Africa” to celebrate African music. It contains messages that are very intentional about african values such as unity, being proud of who they are, where they come from and empowers africans to see their potential. It is an uplifting and motivational album that teaches africans that they can do so much if they embrace their diversity. These kinds of messages are carried and depicted on the album’s hits “It’s our time now” and “Koma”. The album’s title reveals that africans are a force to reckon with and carry so much within them. The purpose of this whole album is to change the narrative that we have within ourselves about all the negativity that we think about when it comes to our African lifestyle.
“The album took a while to make, the first song named ‘Mathombo‘ was recorded around August, September 2018. For it’s commencement the team started recording last year during the start of covid-19.” Sereetsi told us. He further mentioned how they would go for months without recording. The album was done under much rest and time. For this album a band approach was not applied, he picked his collaborators after writing each song, listening to its beat, rythm and understanding its theme. Sereetsi wanted to create an album that would go for years without loosing its touch and feel hence he hand picked those he will be working with in order to come up with a well cooked album.
Sereetsi and The Natives remains thankful to his fans who made production of the hard copy write disks of the new album possible, as much of the album was recorded during covid. He is also grateful for his collaborators for taking part in making sure that the album is a sucess.
Get the album here.
Keleabetswe is a 24 year old woman from Palapye. A product of Lotsane Senior School and Limkonkwing University. She loves writing..music and solving puzzles. Her dream is to be the best business and health news journalist.
