Amantle Brown, Gigi Lamayne collaborate
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Songbird sensation, Amantle Brown has released her first international collaboration with South African female rapper, Gigi Lamayne who is known for her collaborations with renowned artists the likes of Ricky Rick, King Monada and many more acclaimed.
The duo have released an upbeat song dubbed ‘Sedidi’, which refers to an unstable man who finds it hard to settle down in a committed relationship. The ‘Lethabo’ hitmaker shared with WEEKENDLIFE that she has always wanted to work with the renowned South African and thus decided to Direct Message (DM) her on social media for a collaboration and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”.
“I sent her a DM telling her I wanted to do a collaboration with her and then she responded. Afterwards she came to Botswana doing her radio tours and we linked and she added a verse to my song. It did not take much as I had already recorded the song, she only had to put a verse to it,” she said.
She further stated that the song is about a guy who is not certain about himself, as to whether he wants to commit and settle down in a relationship or run helter-skelter. “I am basically saying, how come you do not seem to be stable,” she explained.
“It is an amazing collaboration. Gigi Lamayne is such an amazing person, we have started being friends and we are communicating frequently. I was just telling her about my struggles this side and she told me about hers that side. Then we decided to help each other however we can to help market each other in our countries.”
Brown further stated that since working with the South African rapper she is now alive to many things. “Working with her taught me that, although we see these people having big platforms, we think they are living in abundance and everything is just cool with them but you get to notice that the challenges we face this side, they also face them that side, sabotages, promoters, plugging a song and many more. They have the same struggles as us, so we just need to put a bit of hard work.”
“She also touched on the fact that it is so hard for women to do collaborations together, but we need to realise that when we work together as women, we can build up to the respect that we want men to give us,” she said.
Known for her unique renditions, Brown gives her fans a heads up that this time around people should not expect the usual signature lyrical vocals that people have come to know her for.
“Its upbeat, it is also Caribbean and calls people to move. It is so empowering it is like we women are telling guys to sit down as they look like they are indecisive and that they must decide. It is like we are showing our power,” she said.
When asked whether men have a problem with commitment she said, “Well, this is a very complicated situation. I do not think there is no guy who can commit when he is not ready or when he doesn’t love the woman. A guy who genuinely loves a woman automatically that feeling hits him hard. If someone is not ready to settle they can never be with any woman no matter how beautiful and confident she is, there is nothing you can do to that guy. A man commits where he wants not when he is made to commit,” she said.
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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
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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.
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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.