MASERU — South African clap n’ tap musical group, Barorisi ba Morena, is set to grace a local competition at the AME Hall this Saturday as guests.
Local outfit Lerato la Bolumeli are defending their crown which they won in February this year.
At least nine groups will be competing at the music festival this weekend.
Rev Ben Mosala, from the Kutloano Music Productions which is organising the show, said the competition was meant to boost the popularity of the musical genre in Lesotho.
He said it also offered fans an opportunity to pursue this form of music as a career and bring this type of music to Basotho.
“The first competition was a curtain raiser to bigger events to come in connection to the clap and tap music in the country,” Rev Mosala said.
“We had eight groups registered for the first competition but one group withdrew but this did not affect the success of the event,” he said.
Two more groups have registered for this year’s competition.
“The aim of the first competition was to popularise clap and tap music and create a platform for those that love to create a career out of the art.
“We are also happy to report that radio airplay of local clap and tap music has increased,” Rev Mosala said.
He said several companies were sponsoring the competition.
“To prove the growth and popularity of the genre, a lot of local businesses are supporting our initiative of bringing clap and tap groups together under one house.”
Rev Mosala said individuals that used to sing for popular groups in the 80s and 90s will also perform at the competition as curtain raisers before the real battle begins.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Mohau Tsubane said preparations for the show were at an advanced stage.
“All groups seem very determined to scoop the first position.”
Tsubane said the competition requires the groups to compose a song from a Bible verse, Mark 10:46-52, and give it proper meaning within their performance.
He said adjudication is going to be very strict because “we want spectators to take this genre seriously so all groups should measure the criteria and set standards are impressive.”
