FEZO BW JUGGLES AMONG THE CREATIVES AS A LIVELIHOOD
Hailing from one of Botswana’s major villages which has embraced him and motivated him as an artist, Fezo has been one of Kanye’s greatest prides as he has stood to represent the village among the creatives. Fezo Bw, whose birth name is Larona Dioka is not only a musician, but also a fashion and textile designer having graduated with a Diploma and runs a textile business in G-west. As a musician he started recording at an early age by recording a kwaito kwasa album but never really took it as seriously until at a later age. He got to chat with us more about his works.
Where do you hail from?
I am from Kanye
You are a musician, how long have you been?
I have been in the music industry for the past six years.
When you started doing music, what was it that led to it, passion or a talent you wanted to exploit and make money from?
Well I would say both because of the love and passion I have for it, I communicate through it, I talk about my life and life in general to guide, teach and heal other people’s souls. And I will also say I do music as a business to generate income.
Did you encounter any difficulties when you got into the music world or you were lucky enough to get hooked?
You know, there is a saying “no pain, no gain,” I had absolutely no sponsors to pay studios, no hook ups so I had to work extra to find money and to be where I am now.
How was the reception of your first song?
I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the Ngwaketse tribe especially the youth as they made my first song their national anthem, the support and love they showered me with made me continue the race I started and not giving up.
So looking back today can you say you are happy with the mileage you have covered and the achievements?
I am happy as I continue, no journey is smooth. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and lastly a winner does not give up until declared the winner.
What are you looking into developing and planning on getting yourself to your aspirations?
I am planning to take Fezo Bw to international platforms and also to sell my music to radio stations and Tv channels. Well my aspirations and goals as Fezo the artist are; 1. To represent Fezo the brand, 2. To ensure my fans across the globe are happy and sing along my music, 3. To inspire and encourage young upcoming artist not to give up along the way and lastly to open or register upcoming artists, groom them and promote their music.
You are not only an artist, you are also in the fashion world, how is that angle of your life working out for you?
It works out for me as they both sell each other. The outfits I design are sometimes used for my music videos, performances, and also being featured on magazines or any social media platforms, I mostly use my designed outfits to sell my brand.
Between these two which of those do you rely on financially?
Currently I rely on designing since covid has been an enemy and put the other on hold.
Which of your songs has been the most outstanding?
Of all my songs, Mpha Lorato is the one that has done wonders.
Have you performed outside Botswana?
I am happy to announce that my work has reached people from different countries e.g South Africa, Nigeria and others. I have not performed outside the country yet, even though I had opportunities to perform outside Botswana and failed because of Covid-19. I had a performance at a fashion show in Nigeria last month but failed because of funds and procedures that followed this pandemic.
Who have you collaborated with?
I have worked with Spiza Valentino and Dublin.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a single named KGARATLHA.
Duncan Sebeso