RECORDS KING, TSHEPHO NEPHEW MOANAKWENA
Bang! Gae is a brand that always turns heads of avid music lovers and followers but 31 year old Tshepo Nephew Moanakwena it is a dream fulfilled. Birthed from humble beginnings he used his university allowances to buy equipment to fulfil the dream, Bang! Gae came to be. The record label does an array of music management and videography and even documentaries on different content about life in Botswana.
Nephew wanted to make his brand identifiable to Batswana hence the creative name Bang Gae, “BANG” representing something big and irresistible “GAE” representing home, being Batswana. As a producer he understood what had to be done and his fruits to his labour were achieved through various awards which include best motswako hip hop song, best producer and best male artist just to name a few. He has worked with many heavy weight local artists like Zeus, Daxis and Nicole Martinez. He even went to spread his wings and produce for Yarona Fm, The Voice, Rako, Mafoko, Motovac, onespread and many others.
Can you tell us more about your record studio, Bang! Gae.
We started in 2010 and I founded it with two other friends of mine, Pako Keoleletse and Theo Nthoi. We were fresh out of high school, so I spearheaded the whole thing I started college on my first year at NIIT but never finished but in honour of my mum, who passed on I went on to study Sound Technology at Limkokwing University as she had always wanted me to finish school. So when I was in NIIT I used my allowance to buy some equipment and we started Bang! Gae based in Mogoditshane.
Have you ever received any awards in your label?
We are an award winning studio, in 2015 we won three awards at the YAMAs. We won best producer, best collabo of the year and male best song of the year. We also won another award the following at the BOMU awards.
What are your hobbies?
My hobby is working, I enjoy being in the studio, any time I am stressed out or feeling happy I will be in the studio producing, engineering or finishing up people’s projects.
Is there anything you would like to add to your skills?
Well, I am happy with the skills I have but I would like to learn softwares. I want to know every software used in editing music videos and photos too. I am interested in the visuals since I am skilled with sound.
Many artists usually tend to have an association with drug use, have you had any dealings with drugs?
No, I have never tasted drugs and I do not even drink alcohol.
What are the misconceptions that people have about you, and do they say out there?
People think I drink, which I do not. The other thing is that people think I am a playboy but I am not, I was single from 2012 until last year when I found the lady I am with at the moment.
Let’s talk about your greatest stresses, how do you handle your stress and stuff?
I have had metal issues and suicidal thoughts before due to the work pressure. So how I dealt with them was through speaking to good friends of mine and let them know how I felt. I also express myself through my creativity.
As a producer and records label owner, what words can you share with people out there?
Get to know the gatekeepers to your success, know those people and network your way up, build relationships. Also watch your back, and trust easily. Associate yourself with the right people, they say your network is your net worth.
Duncan Sebeso