Dintle Balole: The Man Behind The music.
By Katlego Setilo
Many times we tend to look at celebrities as idols because of their extravagant lifestyle,the drama they provide, the entertainment they serve us so much so we forget that behind that opulence and high social status there is a person in there just like the rest of us and today we take a closer look into the musical maestro Dintle On The Track (DOTT) and the man that is Dintle Balole.
Speaking to Celebrity World magazine today Dintle talks about his family and how that worked him into the musician he is today as well as his latest projects,his inspirations, love life and a handful of facts about him that fans possibly didn’t know about him.
As an only child Dintle grew up hanging out and bonding with his dad by watching him play the piano at home until he was old enough to develop the interest to learn how to play.
“My dad used to be a pianist, so back then when other kids where playing, for some reason I sort of enjoyed watching him play and I was always locked up in the house and he used to teach me even though he didn’t make much of it-it stuck with me. ”
Dintle went on to mention that when he was in grade six there was a neighbourhood disk jockey (DJ) whose laptop he used and that is when he learnt how to first be a producer, he came across his first virtual DJ software and his love for music grew. This passion grew to the point where his dad noticed it and bought him his first laptop for him to be able to do his work back in 2011. He has his dad to thank for nurturing his passion.
When asked of his three top artists personally that he thinks are on top of their game he wasted no time in calling in A.T.I, Han-c and Allen Bright whom he chuckled in pride at the mention of because he feels that Allen is the person he needs to look out for as he inspires him to work harder and they have a brother competition going on.
Covid-19 hurt a lot of industries across the globe with the entertainment industry being the one to take the harshest blow in Botswana. We delve a little into that with Dintle and how he took it. Before Covid hit he was scheduled to release his first studio album Elevation III.
“It was supposed to be my first album. I wanted it to be special so I was thinking tours, concerts, promotional gigs but unfortunately I couldn’t because of the lockdowns and Corona stopping everything“ said Dintle in a forlorn tone pertaining Elevation III that was meant to be released in 2020.
Like every creative or rather creator out there Dintle has been through some rough patches and this came to him in forms of cyber bullying, a career identity crisis and burn out having bouts of despair and the strong inclination to quit.
Dintle nearly left music and producing after having an experience with cyber bullying. He says that even though a lot of things that people said got to him he could fight back against the snide comments until couldn’t anymore and that’s when he realised fighting against the masses is a losing battle for him. Dintle further added that he grew a thick skin,learning that he can’t always please everyone thus he should not be affected by what people hiding behind screens say which is how he stood his ground and continued with music.
On a brighter note though he doesn’t shy away to talk about the light in his life, his girlfriend and what the upcoming season of love meant to them. He mentions how he isn’t sure what the plans are being, unable to choose between having either a picnic or a nice home date with his girlfriend but he could not stress enough the importance of it being an absolutely beautiful day for them “as long as it’s nice” he says.
What are the three pieces of advice you would give couples out there with a partner in the music industry or otherwise?
Don’t publish or publicize your problems and issues for third parties to have an opinion on.
Talk out your issues, try conflict resolution and allow for proper communication to happen.
Trust your partner and don’t listen to any and all rumours and things especially the negative that people have to say because some people mean to sabotage relationships because you are in the public eye.
Bonus point:
Concentrate on your person and stop paying attention to the groupies.
How do you and your significant Other handle your conflicts when there is any?
Basically what I said before. Talking things out, giving each other space to regroup and calm down and essentially trusting each other enough to know boundaries will be respected then coming back and communicating.
How long have you two been together?
Four(4)years, since 2018.
How has the family taken to this choice in career?
Being an only child, it made it easier for everyone to be supportive and accept my choices. But with my extended family my cousins had tensions when I first started as they seemed to think laity ye sale ka a blow’a ga a re check’e which translates to the implication that ever since I made it big I don’t check on them anymore and feel like I am better than them. That has since dispelled though.
Top three favourite food:
Vanilla ice cream, pizza and snacks like crisps as I am not home most of the time. I am always on the move either at the studio, at interviews, or with the homies so I never have the time or opportunity to eat real food.
Three things people probably don’t know about you:
I am in the process of learning how to play the guitar.
If I had pursued a varsity career I would have done law and would have become a lawyer for D.O.T.T as a brand.
I used to be a footballer and a side hobby I am pursuing that is not related to music is currently learning how to paint.
“I’ve made the shirts, but I have not announced it yet. I realised that how I promote other brands is different to how I promote mine. For myself its always “sell, sell, sell” and never actually promoting it but that’s how people get interested. The plan was to have the merch out by March so I can move on to the next phase of my plans.” There will be no sales for this and there will be an announcement pertaining this.
There has been mention of a valentine’s extended playlist (EP) release since it’s a new year calling for new music, as well as single and music video in place of the EP although it is all still in the works. The public should expect nothing in March and April but a project in May as per annual birthday tradition and the much anticipated Elevation III is rumoured to be dropped in July as the D.O.T.T business year calendar and that’s the tea to look out for this year.
In closing, Dintle urged youngsters to take their crafts serious but to always be aware of the different effects it can have in one’s life. He advised artists to learn more about the business that is music as well as working on getting endorsements and getting an arsenal of contacts to help them in the industry.
He warned that it can take a toll on relationships in general as well as mental health and thus one should pick wisely and choose the right people to be beside them as support as that will strengthen them when they need it most.
Duncan Sebeso