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Bobo aims high for debut solo album

DETERMINED: Bobo Seritsane of the music group Denim is working on a solo album PHOTO:PETER MOGAKI
DETERMINED: Bobo Seritsane of the music group Denim is working on a solo album PHOTO:PETER MOGAKI

WHILE many musicians still struggle to even score a gig internationally, South African pop singer Bobo Seritsane has already made a name for himself.

Seritsane, who this week launched his solo career, has turned Europe into his hunting ground.

He is among the stars who performed at the 2014 Fifa World Cup closing ceremony in Brazil. He also performed at Fan Fest in Rio de Janeiro with an audience of 18000.

The singer, born in Mapetla, Soweto, says he performs in Dubai almost monthly.

It all started after he performed at Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke's wedding in 2012 in Italy that international invites have been pouring in.

"Jerome saw me performing in Europe and he took my contacts and booked me. Then I performed at his wedding for his exclusive friends and family members, who now also book me," he says.

His performance at a Fan Fest in Brazil scored him a collaboration with a famous American soul and R&B singer who Seritsane refuses to name.

He leaves for America in November to record the song which will also be part of his upcoming album.

"I am looking forward to the collaboration and to network more with different artists."

Seritsane, who is still a member of an all male-pop band Denim, launched his solo career in style with the single Rise. The single is currently enjoying massive airplay on radio and TV. He says he normally slots his performances and promotions in between Denim's schedule.

Seritsane, who is engaged to singer and dancer Thembi Seete, believes he launched his music career at the right time when the world is ready for African music.

In capitalising on the hype, he plans to drop an album that will both capture local and international audiences.

The singer is so fired up that he believes his album will bring South Africa international accolades.

"I know people will think that I am arrogant, but I believe that I am that artist who will bring Grammy and BET awards to South Africa.

If you work hard and connect with the right people, nothing will stop you," he says.

On Wednesday he launched his single Rise which he also turned into a movement.

He says the message of the movement is that South Africans need to rise together for the sake of the country, irrespective of political affiliation and colour.

"I will have a continental tour where we just encourage people to rise together through Twitter and Facebook."

The idea came while performing at the Soccer World Cup in June.

"I realised that if we do things together, the country will benefit."

The pop singer has also dropped two more singles in which he features Martin Phike, the former Ghetto Lingo member on Sweet, Sweet Baby and rapper Da Les on Body Like This. The video of the song will be shot in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

In his anticipated album set to be released next year, he is working with some of the best producers in the game like Tibi Ntshwane, Mojalefa Thebe and the Universal Music team from the US, Germany and Spain.

His solo album will be a culmination of 15 years of experience in the music industry and as a member of Denim.

Seritsane has also proved to be a worthy role model. Together with Kaizer Chiefs star Simphiwe Tshabalala and former Miss Soweto Dineo Matshekga, they are involved in youth and sport development in Phiri and Mapetla, Soweto, where they stage soccer tournaments.

Seritsane believes he's a born entertainer. His career started at a young age when he featured in the 1993 Leon Schuster film There's a Zulu on My Stoep .

 

 

 

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