Raised By A Family Of Singers To Become
He grew up among a family of singers and went on to pursue a career in music as a vocalist and a producer. Kopo Sakuze who is better known by the stage name Kopo Guccie is a Motswana singer, performer and record producer. He was born in Shakawe and now lives in Maun. He has been referred to one of the most gifted vocalist to ever come out of Ngamiland and recently had a chat with CW.
Who is Guccie?
Well, Kopo Guccie is a prominent vocalist, born and raised in Shakawe. He is a music producer who wailed his way into the hearts of Batswana with his productions and his unique voice.
How long have you been in the Industry?
I have been in the industry making records for 5 years now, but I have been involved in Music from a very tender age. I was never dragged to church on Sundays because of my love for singing.
What do you do as an artist?
I am an Afro Pop singer by default and at times I fuse it with house music, but because when you are a producer you deal with quite a number of ideas, I have done jazz gospel, etc. Most of the time I like fusing stuff together and come up with something a little different. I do not believe in what others are doing, I just get ideas then produce what runs through my head and that’s it.
Getting into the world of music, what was the inspiration to all that?
I would say the inspiration came from the environment that I grew up in. My father was a singer at church, my aunties, sisters and cousins as well. We are all singers even though they are just gospel singers whereas I ventured into a more broad musical space.
Which of your songs identifies you?
Yoh! That’s though to pick, but from my album I would choose three songs, ‘I am free’, ‘Lockdown Engilozi’ and the one I have just dropped recently titled ‘E Tlaa Fela’, it’s a song that talks about the pandemic.
Do you have any released full album?
I have only had one album that is made up of six tracks which I released this year in April.
You mentioned that you are a producer, who have you worked with?
I have worked with a couple of artists, the likes of Malembe, Pastor Avumile Dube, Xwala da Cash, Eric Eq Maeba of Radio Botswana lenaka la sechaba fame by HT Tautona.
As a singer have you had any collaborations?
Not yet but I have a couple of lined up callabos coming very soon, one with a South African artist and a couple here at home.
Are you working on anything at the moment?
Yes! I am, there is a single coming very soon in a short while, it is done and we are just finishing up a few corners here and there.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from other artists and the circumstances around our lives, you know.
Let’s talk about the reception of your work, how well has it been among Batswana?
My work is really appreciated among Batswana, I actually never thought I would have so much of the support. I have been receiving a massive support and positive feedback.
Have you done some live performances?
I have contested at the Presidential Competitions by the MYSC for two consecutive years with very good results. I also perform at weddings.
Any achievements?
An achievement I am proud of is being the 2018 Presidential Competition Finalist.
What does the future hold for you?
I want to be able to penetrate the Market fully and have my clothing label.
Is there anything you want to add on?
Well, I believe Botswana has a massive talent but we do not do much to unearth it. I work with amazing people but still see them remaining in one place. These things happen because everything is centralized in Gaborone, imagine if we had just one radio station in the North, it would really help in captivating the talent.
Duncan Sebeso