Ban-T’s Naomi Reloaded
WeekendLife
On Thursday, many artist and well wishers of the young talented Ban- T came to witness his latest single, Naomi Reloaded in which he collaborated with the duo of Gemini Major and Tshego from South Africa.
Both artists are members of Family Tree, a record label owned by award winning South African Hip Hop artist, Cassper Nyovest. Released in February this year, his song, ‘Naomi’ was number one on the Yarona FM Top 40 for two consecutive weeks after its release, as well as on Radio Botswana 2 (RB2). The song also aired on BBC 1Xtra in the United Kingdom (UK). Within two months of its release, acclaimed South African Hip Hop artist, AKA, commended the song on his #ComeUpKingdom Twitter competition.
Ban-T has been making the right waves since he sprung to stardom with ‘Why So Faded,’ a collaborative effort between him and Faded Gang from South Africa. The 19 year old is currently a 6 times Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMA) nominee which is scheduled for December 10th at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC). Ban T also has an extensive following on social media that is continuously growing, on the likes of; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
One of the featured artists, Tshegofatso Ketshabile (Tshego), was born to two ordained ministers on the 21st of May, 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia. Born in the USA by chance as his parents were studying abroad, Tshego would frequent South Africa from the age of 4 until he would eventually settle in Mafikeng, South Africa in 2002. He may have been nested in America, but his wings of talent were polished in Mafikeng. The singer/songwriter and producer has been attracting attention from veterans and newcomers alike.
In 2014, Tshego appeared on Cassper Nyovest’s Platinum selling album ‘Tsholofelo’ on the track ‘Cold Hearted’ which, despite not being a single, is a fan favourite. Furthermore, Tshego and Cassper’s relationship continued which lead to Tshego signing with Family Tree in 2015. Tshego also feature’s on Cassper’s Platinum certified sophomore album, ‘Refiloe’, appearing on the song ‘A Lot To Live For’, whilst also receiving writing credits on the album for the song ‘Upper’. Tshego is currently pushing his new single “Hennessy” featuring label mates, Gemini Major and Cassper Nyovest which has charted and has been on heavy rotation on numerous radio stations including 5 FM, Y FM and Motsweding FM.
Benn Gilbert Kamoto, better known as Gemini Major, is a Malawian born Afro–pop singer and record producer. Born in June 1990, Gemini Major finished his high school in 2007 and later graduated in IT in 2009. In the same year, he moved to Durban, South Africa to pursue his dream as an artist and record producer. Gemini Major has produced for a number of artists in a variety of genres ranging from R&B, Hip-Hop, House, Dancehall, Pop and Gospel. His portfolio includes production used in TV Shows such as Gold Diggers Season 3, Forever Young and Mo Love.
Gemini Major who is inspired by artists such as Wizkid, Burna Boy, Bob Marley and I-Octane, describes his music as ‘a celebration of music, love and life in recognition for both its pain and pleasures on a personal level as well as socially. After a chance meeting with Cassper Nyovest and his team at a video shoot for a song that Gemini Major had produced, he joined the Family Tree team, and he is currently working on his debut project.
After the release of Nasty C’s hit single Juice Back, Gemini has become the go to producer for some of South Africa’s leading Hip-Hop artists. Apart from producing for some of South Africa’s top artists, Gemini has appeared on Khuli Chana and African legend 2 Face’s productions.
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
WeekendLife
DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
WeekendLife
Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.