Mohalenyane Phakela
VETERAN musician Fatere has promised a performance of a life time when he performs at the Lesotho Times Fanfest scheduled for 3 November 2018 at Setsoto Stadium.
The Chifona muso told the Weekender in an interview this week that it has been years since he performed for Basotho on such an epic level hence he cannot wait to showcase what he has been cooking in studio.
He said revellers should expect to dance to tunes like Chaba Se a Luma-luma, Where is my real father, Semi God and Le Hlorisetsang Rabasotho which are taken from his latest offering, Maximum Prison.
“The Lesotho Times Fanfest is the platform that I have been longing for because it has been a while since I last performed at a stadium therefore, I am going to perform like I am doing it to save my soul,” Fatere said.
“The Fatere brand started small as one that intended to sell Lioli (nickname of people from his hometown of Teyateyaneng in Berea) through the album Ke Seoli in 2007. My sound has evolved over the years so at the stadium I will be introducing the sound I have been making which speaks to all Africans as it is about our lives and struggles we go through.
“I have performed with Tshepo Tshol and Oliver Mtukudzi before as well as being in studio with Juvy but then I have not met the other artistes on the line-up. What I can say is that the line-up is heavy. It is like a song arrangement featuring many artistes where each is entrusted to make it a hit. I cannot wait to rock the stage with my band at Setsoto Stadium.”
Apart from the three artistes Fatere mentioned above, the Teyateyaneng musician will further share the stage with South African acts such as AKA, Kwesta, Nasty C, Trompies, Thebe, Prince Kaybee, Sho Madjozi, Lerato Kganyago, Amanda Black, Thami, Lady Zamar and several others.
The local contingent will also consist of the likes of Together, Smooth, Katz, Mtsuzi, Counter Force, Charma Exzit, Kopper, Bootz, DJ Dimo and Sway among others.
Organised by Plan A events management, the Lesotho Times Fanfest, which is meant to celebrate the newspaper’s more than a decade of service, is sponsored by Maluti Mountain Brewery, Sefalana Liquor Lesotho, AVANI Hotels, Afro Media and PC FM.
Fatere has been in the music industry since 1992 using his real name, Sechaba Litabe. He only released his debut album, Nyeloi la Lefu, in 2004. His second offering, Ke Seoli, which introduced his stage name Fatere, shot him to national stardom in 2007.
Ke Seoli, which refers to a person from Teyateyaneng, featured hits such as Seoli Se Matla, Ka Mahetla and Sale Laka which are still used as Lioli football club anthems during its games.
The album did not only land him bookings at epic festivals such as the Cherry Festival in Ficksburg and Vodacom Summa Feva but also two awards of Best Afro Jazz and Artiste of the year at the Lesotho Haeso Music Awards in the same year of release. He still managed to retain the Artiste of the year award in 2008 through the album, Terene.
He later on in 2011 released Ikokobetse (a Gospel album) after which he suffered a terrible car accident which nearly cost him his life. It was followed by Ketsa Molao the following year and Fatere o Teng in 2013.
His last offering is Maximum Prison which was released in late 2016. He however, said he was working on his eighth studio album which he was reluctant to indulge into but said it would drop soon.
“There is an album I am working which will be released soon, hopefully before the festival. I cannot say much about it as yet but then it will not be Chifona but a different brand from that of Fatere and Sechaba Litabe.”
Although many may categorise his sound under Afro Jazz, Fatere terms it Chifona, which is his own sound he pioneered.
“I was fortunate to be in this industry for 26 years singing Chifona which other people have went on to adopt. It is not a bad thing to draw inspiration from someone else as long as one oozes originality in what he or she does. I believe I was designed to be a pioneer of Chifona.
“I believe I was able to last in this industry by not thinking I know it all. I have not stopped learning and I believe I was fortunate to have met people like the late Mochoko Mapefane who was my musical teacher.
“As a musician you need to be an open-minded person who is willing to work with anyone but cautious not to be cheated on.”
He said it was through unity of artistes that the local music industry could flourish to greater heights. He said it was wise for the artiste not put eggs in one basket and further said that limited technology also served as a setback to the growth of the industry.
“Music is seasonal therefore it is wise as a musician to have other businesses which will serve as cushions should one’s career fall. However, musicians must always ensure they do not engage in businesses that keep them busy for they must have ample time on their hands as musical composition needs concentration and time.
“At my studio, I work as a sound engineer for different artists who come to record and I always tell them that once they become established they should help those who are still in their baby steps. One only becomes important in life if he or she impacts on other people’s lives,” Fatere said.
