YBPICASSO ON THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF RAP
Brian Kgosietsile Makoko, born on 7 January, 1998, in Francistown, is a local rapper well known by his stage name,” YB Picasso” which started in high school mostly from his friends and family. Pronounced “Waibe” (YB), of which does not stand for anything in particular. Whereas Picasso comes from his role model and inspiration, Pablo Picasso. “I am more of a person who loves art and creativity, rather than just being a musician.” He says. As he is not only involved in music but also I am also photography part time
The five interesting facts about me would be:
1) I have always been true to myself. I do not hate. However, if I do not like you, I let you know there and then.
2) I do not give up; the only aspect which I do not know how to tackle, is not knowing how to do anything. Does it make sense? ???
3) I will forever support my own people, no matter what. I will always be there to help and improve whoever needs my help. I will always have open arms for everyone.
4) Well in my group of friends, I am always the wild one when need be, but at the same time I am the same person who calms down the situation when matters get way heated up ??. In Ghetto we go hard. Whatever we do, we do it harddddd ???.
5) I am so complicated ???. I love making music, so obviously that means I am noisy. I am also a lady’s man; I have a lot of female friends who would always want come over for food and games, or just spend time together ???. If you are not a fan of that as a roommate, then it is over for you. ???
YbPicasso developed his interest in local music from 2009 with inspirations by well-known local musicians like Dramaboi, Vee, Nancy boi, Slizer, Franco, etc. Brian pinpointed, “As time went on, I realized that Botswana has a lot of talented musicians and creatives out there, who only lack resources to embrace the hidden gold within them.” Which according to him got him determined to help numerous of them come up, even if it does not benefit him but rather make him proud to be the reason behind someone’s success/someone’s smile. “All I am trying to say is that I AM DETERMINED TO RISE OUR FLAG HIGH.” He adds.
“Well I don’t really follow trends ???, but the only trend that I loved was the #16BarsChallenge, where I got to see ambitious youth who knew what they were talking about. I also noticed their direction”
He prides himself by putting a smile on people that he cares the most about as according to him, “I don’t need money in my life, but I do need happiness.” Among a lot of things, the star’s irrational fear is losing his mum. “That lady is my superwoman; she is my father, my mother, my sister, my motivation and literally my everything.” He mentions.
Which is why he presents his spirit animal a “dog”, because he believes that it can never lose love for its owners and will do anything to protect its family. “The hardest lesson I have ever learnt is to learn to observe your environment before taking actions.” YB adds. That is because you may never know who you inspire, who looks up to you, who loves you and who you hurt before, until it’s too late, as he puts it.
As a new age Hip Hop artist, doing Trap soul, Trap, Boombap and Soul Trap. YBPicasso took a leap of faith to join this industry to try and bring in new music and sounds. “As usual, people would often tell me to deliver what people want here and there, but in absolute truth, people want everything. You just have to be good in it.” he stated. However, he has been on a low, fighting depression and anxiety since losing his close friend and artist to death. “At least by the time I come back on the game, I will bring something new, and a lot has changed.” Affirming that new music is on the way as he has been working on an ALBUM called ‘WHY ME‘, which is going to be about his past life and overcoming life’s difficulties.
“Honestly speaking, as long as I can remember, I never had anyone who has had my back.” Explaining that he tried to reach out to many artists for a collaboration and ways that he could improve were necessary when all he got was rejection and criticism. He adds, “In that regard, I been own my own and I am proud to say that all the criticism turned me into the stone I am right now.” Swearing that regardless of the negative feedback, he will do anything to protect his own and help others come up with the little knowledge he has.
His main concern,
”Money is obviously important everywhere, in a sense that us as musicians, we need to represent our statuses and cultures, and we need money for that. Money still broke a lot of relationships. When it comes to our music industry, as soon as they get the bag, some of them want to keep it to themselves, even if they had an agreement as a record deal or label. As soon as some of them get that bag, they drop those who have been there for them, because it makes them feel like they are on top of the world. As usual, they feel the need to need have a circle to match their statuses, lol. ?
Release dates of his upcoming projects delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic will be communicated in the near future. “In the next few years, I would be somewhere in terms of my record label, and my fashion line.” On top of that acknowledging his life partner as the best person he has ever came across; very supportive, so open-minded, the most loving, and kind human being ever. “I will definitely flood my home with little YBies.” He jokes.
Caron M. Moloi, is the Editor-in-Chief of Africa’s Very Own Magazine. Caron is a young editor born and raised in Francistown. She is currently a student at the University of Botswana.
The Editor describes herself as a self-motivated person, because she believes that everything we do begins in our minds. According to her, a positive mindset yields positive results. One of her favourites quotes is by Dr Wayne W. Dyer: "My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be."
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.
