THE JOURNEY OF LEGENDARY AFRO JAZZ SONG BIRD - TRINITY MPHO
By Ossie Miah Lekgetho
Meet the Iconic afro jazz, songwriter, composer, recording artist, entertainer and a performer, Mr. Moletlanyi Trinity Mphoeng, affectionately known as Trinity Mpho from Bobonong. One may say he is a methodical person, he is not just a genius when it comes to singing jazz. He is also proficient at using his melodious and soulful voice to move the hearts of his listeners. In 2012 he arrived in Canada as a world Afro beat musician. Trinity’s unconcealed energy during his shows propels audiences to their feet to joyfully dance to the aisles. His first CD “Theohang” was released to critical acclaim and then his following album “African Sunset” quickly becoming favorite crossing genres from Afro jazz, World to Pop with 8 awards nominations both in Africa and North America. He also collaborated with the Lesotho Afro Jazz Legend, Tshepo Tshola. Then the following year he swapped up the 2016 Botswana Best Afro-Jazz Album and World Music Artist of the Year 2015 award winner for the African Entertainment Awards in Canada. He is a true legend indeed.
Trinity is not just exceptional in the entertainment industry, before he joined this industry he was an HR profession, he also spent 7 years acquiring a B.A in Economics and a Diploma in Statistics credentials from the University of Botswana. This legend further went overseas to study at Hama University, School of Business to obtain his 1 year graduate Certificate in HR.
What Inspired You To Become An Afro Jazz Singer?
I grew up listening to gospel music, I basically grew up in church as I started going to church from the age of 4 and then at the age of 7 I joined the praise and worship team, that’s where I started developing the love for music. So right there I got inspired by what music is to the community, what music is to those that might be universally affected out there and as I grew up I did realize that music is a healing tool and is also a tool that addresses many issues from diverse problems. From church, I did realize that through my praise and worship people would actually heal and be comforted through the healing songs I sang and from that time to now I am 40 right now and I developed love for this particular artistic office I am in.
Who Inspired Your Music Journey?
When I came to the city, I met up with an old friend of mine Joel, he’s leading a church now, but before that he was a presenter at Mokaragana. The time we met, he was doing gospel music, and he also believed in my potential and because of his enthusiasm and passion for music it motivated me and cultivated my passion for music.
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He further pushed me as he believed in my talent and he inspired me vocally. The funny story is that we went to University of Botswana at the same year and I started off by backing him up, then went on to back up Tshepho Lesole and many more gospel artists. I was also in a group called Jam in Christ, with the late Tebby, Bonnie Fisher with many more gospel singers. Then a Jazz musical lady called Nono approached me, I started being a backup singer for her, then I went on to a lady called Puna Gabasiane as a backup singer to a whole lot of talented singers. So Nono inspired me to become a jazz artist.
How Do you Describe The Music That You Typically Create?
Most of my music is infused with culture, so what I basically do is I infused my Bobirwa roots with the modern cultural music. My music is also highly spiritual and deep so I describe it as deep afro beat or ancestral afro beat. For My songs, you have to be in the realm, if you have followed the likes of Shanti-Lo we have the same feel in music and I have also featured him.
How Was Your Journey In Canada As An Afro Jazz Musician?
There are always challenges but with determination and with one not forgetting what he wants by setting his eyes on the price regardless of the challenges, you will get what you came for. I know it’s not easy as you’re in an unfamiliar environment as you don’t have your relatives there and your friends. The first year I got there, it was hard. But I did not give up as I pushed myself beyond my limits and eventually I got recognized by a record label there and a promotions company. That was because they could pick originality and talent as what I was doing was different. As Batswana we have unique cultures and a lot of people wanted to understand our roots and that was the beginning of Trinity in North America. With that, doors began to open as I was hired in almost all the African events all over North America.
Tell Us About Your Nomination, How Many Times Did You Get Nominated?
There are awards called African Entertainment Awards (AEA), these awards are held in America, USA and Canada and they are highly competitive as they cover the whole of African continent in North America. Because I was now based under Canada, I was to fall under the local icons. So I was nominated the music artist of the year, I must say it was a highly competitive category.
There were also artists from Nigeria and looking at the population, I would never expect to get the award. I was humbled as this meant people actually appreciated my work not only in Botswana but as Africans because they voted for me.
I also received an Award of Excellence for contributing towards the African culture, following the best Male Award from Kilimanjaro FM in Canada. Kilimanjaro FM covers a wide spectrum of African music, so I won 3 out of 5 nominations. The other nominations were for the independent music awards, Black Canadian awards and these ones were highly competitive but I didn’t make it, nonetheless I’m glad I got nominated.
What Strengths Do You Have That Make You A Great Artist?
I have a unique special understanding of music, I have a different kind of approach of my arty. If you were to go onto my social media platforms, I am very particular about the way I dress, how I look on stage and about my brand as well and that sets me apart from other brands. I am my biggest motivator and on its own it’s a strength.
What Is It About Music That Makes You This Passionate?
The impact its doing to people’s life, as in deed its providing change, through music, there are a number of social responsibility projects I’m working with, but recently I am working on a project called Man in Jazz country tour, against Gender based Violence. I partnered with Botswana Gender Based Violence at the Ministry, the first launch was on the 30th of April 2022 and we will be trying to speak to men on how to fight this social ill that we are facing as a country.
Which Instrument Is Your Favourite To Play And Why?
My voice, because the voice is a powerful instrument, and because I don’t like to use instruments as my music is infused with my culture. “Sebirwa ke dilo tsa sedimo,” so we use drums. I like the guitar, the lead guitar that sounds like a singing lady.
Who Would You Like To Collaborate With In The Near Future?
Fatoumata Diawara, Simphiwa Dana, Sipho Kazi and locally I covered with almost everyone I wanted to. So I want to collaborate with the DJ so that we infuse jazz with amapiano and I wanted a collabo with Tshepo Tshola, unfortunately he passed before we could collaborate again.
Fortunately we made a song together before he passed and I was the first Motswana to collaborate with him in a song called “Dintwa” it was a song about what was happening in Africa as there were bombings and kidnappings. The song is in my latest album called African Sunset. In the album too, I have featured Shanti Lo, Galeletsang, Gabriel Mawande, Oscar Chamba and many more.
Which Qualities Do You Think A Great Musician Should Have?
Most definitely humility, as musicians we turn to get over our heads, forget that we are made by people and followers. Respect your work and don’t forget to be humble. Your face is your office and the way you behave affects your brands. Also, there’s originality don’t fake it but be yourself, just because Trinity has a deep voice it doesn’t mean you should also do a deep voice or else you will lose your uniqueness.
Fan Fact: I’m a radio personality, I read the news at Kilimanjaro FM in Canada for 2 years and I also worked for the local government in Botswana, I spent 9 years at university, I’m a good cook, I used to own a restaurant in Mogoditshane too, before I got into music.
Duncan Sebeso