Musician Vows to Keep On Rocking
He says he has come a long way and has every intention to keep on rocking. With a studio that is now recording giants such as the likes of rapper, Stagga Williams III, Shirley Mokoka, Koitrans, Eugene Lebona aka Eugene, of 7seven 11even fame, counts himself successful.
“I am not educated like others, so I am holding on to music as my source of income. I do not consider myself a celebrity artist, but a hard worker. That is why I am busy in the sun, putting up my album posters on my own. I use combis like the general public and not flashy cars, because I still have a long way to go,” he said in an interview.
A kwaito fanatic, Eugene has been busy putting up posters for his forthcoming album, his third in eight years. ” I have been fortunate in that I met this South African distributor who assured me that his distribution network in that country would guarantee ten thousand copies are sold in the South African market. So even though I am busy promoting the album locally, my real hope is in South Africa”, he says sporting kwaito wear, a branded t-shirt, kwaito hat, jeans, and tekkies, at Maruapula shopping complex, where he was busy mounting the album posters.
He says his last album, Elgodo, did not do well locally but sold 10, 000 copies in South Africa. ” In South Africa, we targeted Mafikeng, Rustenburg, Pretoria, and other North-West Province towns. They speak Setswana there and are proud of Tswana music, which is why the album did well. I am eyeing the South African market once again,” he told Showbiz.
Eugene started off the kwaito group, 7seven 11eleven with his buddies in G-West, but as the title of the album now goes, he remains alone. “One man standing, is the title of the album. “I thought guys would come back so we continue the legacy, but I decided to call the album, One man standing when I realised they have all lost the desire. I did my previous album alone as well, but I had hoped that perhaps they would come back when I start working on the next album”.
“There is no way I would dream of leaving music. To me it is just like my office. I will continue to be a musician even in my 50s, says the 30-year-old singer. “I grew up in the music industry. From 1995, I have been holding the dream of surviving through music. I think I have a good team of dedicated musicians in the studio. They are men like me who live on music. “Eugene’s partners include B-Note Bonolo Mogotsi, the studio engineer and producer. He is also a jazz keyboardist and jazz DJ. Maiza Matlhako, popular for his drum playing skills, is the other partner. “We hope to progress through the studio. The idea is to sign new talent, but we are also open to people who want to hire the studio. People should come and talk to us,” he said about the studio that has been around for the last three years.
[Via Mmegi ]
