Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse brings house down at Mascom Live Sessions

South African legendary jazz artist, Sipho ‘Hotsticks’ Mabuse delivered a thrilling performance at the Mascom Live Sessions gig held BotswanaCraft this past Friday. Although his set started on a low note, he eventually took a notch higher and treated the revellers to classic jams that got the crowd moving. Mabuse was accompanied a four-man band as well as a talented backing vocalist with a rich voice, who he said was an upcoming singer. The curtain raiser for the show was local artist, Atlasaone Molemogi popularly known as ATI.

The ever-confident ATI did not disappoint as usual. He had everyone eating from the palm of his hand and even had young and old singing along to his hit song, Khiring Khong.When Mabuse took to the stage, the audience particularly old ladies could not control themselves as they danced and sang along to the timeless hit song Shikisa. Some fans that attended the show told Vibe that they were happy about the performance by the Mabuse. “I am happy for what they have done here more so that it has been a long time since he performed in the country.

I don’t regret the money I spent to come and see this old man playing, ” said Hazel Mmusi. She added that she wished that Mabuse would return for another show. Sharing the same sentiments was Neo Garefane, who also expressed her excitement. “Even though I was initially hesitant to attend the show, I am happy for what Mabuse and ATI offered. I was worried when he was playing alongside that lady in the beginning because it was a terrible combination but things improved as it went on. As for ATI, all I can say is that the young guy never disappoints.”

Mabuse was born in Johannesburg, 2 November 1951. After dropping out of school in the 1960s, he got his start in music when he formed part African soul group the Beaters in the mid-1970s. Among his numerous landmark achievements include producing Miriam Makeba’s platinum-selling album, Welela (1989), as well as performing alongside Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Baaba Maal at the 46664 Concert for Nelson Mandela in New York.