Tshootsha born native, Chokoma born Katlholo Hiri has taken over Botswana with his Afro Culture music. With a number of many nicknames including Chakacha, Chokoma is living his dream. He wants to spread the gospel and prove to other artists from Botswana that they too can proudly sing in their own Mother tongue and still make it big.
Singing in Shekgalagari, indeed he is a living example that music is a universal langue, and that regardless of language used, any artist can penetrate both the local and international market. Earlier this year, he released his latest single titled Mother Tongue and the reception for the single has been phenomenal. On Saturday, he was amongst local artists who performed at the 13th edition of the Botswana Musicians (BOMU) Awards. Setting the stage on fire, accompanied by his trusted dancer and hype man, namely Khubas, the performance was a testament that he is destined for greatness.
He was nominated in various categories including Best Male alongside Juu Matere, Harrycane, and DJ Skizoh BW. He was also nominated in the Album of the year, with the likes of Ezra Neethings, DJ KSB, and Kabelo Tiro. His other nominations were in the Best Music Video, and Best Kwasa Kwasa Album EP. He clinched the Best Male award proving that indeed he is here to stay. With Batswana gearing up for the festive season, he will be continuing to grow his brand, and has a number of shows where he is set to perform including the Collections by BK Proctor Fashion show next weekend.
Speaking in an interview with this publication, he explains that his journey started sometimes in 2016, with just a beat. In 2019, through a chance encounter, his fortunes changed. He had released a song, and Charma Gal heard that song and enquired about the owner of the song. She was pointed to Chokoma, and the rest at they say is history. Chokoma would go on to release Ga ke a nyala featuring Charma Gal. That song launched him in the music scene, and today he has three albums under his belt, including Nonyane tse pedi, Boela Gae, and Nchinoga. A many who is always eager to grow his musical footprints, he is always hard at work, making new music.
Quizzed on his genre, he explains that he classifies more as Afro Culture. He notes that he has different elements in his music including a guitar, a tempo which caters to everyone including the young and old, to enjoy his music. This tempo, he says is not slow or fast, and is just perfect for everyone. “I want to see artists from other tribes singing in their language too, such as Bakalaka, and Basarwa, and taking their music to the world,” he explains. On his award, he says that he still believes that he has a lot of work ahead of him. He still believes that God has a bigger plan for him to use his talent.
“I am happy for winning the award. It will motivate me to continue pushing on, and doing what God wants me to do,” he says, noting that he still has a lot of work to do. Meanwhile, he says that for those who wish to make it into the music industry, they need to understand the music business, and the fact that music needs financial resources which will be used to buy studio time, as well as printing album sleeves.
Singing in Shekgalagari, indeed he is a living example that music is a universal langue, and that regardless of language used, any artist can penetrate both the local and international market. Earlier this year, he released his latest single titled Mother Tongue and the reception for the single has been phenomenal. On Saturday, he was amongst local artists who performed at the 13th edition of the Botswana Musicians (BOMU) Awards. Setting the stage on fire, accompanied by his trusted dancer and hype man, namely Khubas, the performance was a testament that he is destined for greatness.
He was nominated in various categories including Best Male alongside Juu Matere, Harrycane, and DJ Skizoh BW. He was also nominated in the Album of the year, with the likes of Ezra Neethings, DJ KSB, and Kabelo Tiro. His other nominations were in the Best Music Video, and Best Kwasa Kwasa Album EP. He clinched the Best Male award proving that indeed he is here to stay. With Batswana gearing up for the festive season, he will be continuing to grow his brand, and has a number of shows where he is set to perform including the Collections by BK Proctor Fashion show next weekend.
Speaking in an interview with this publication, he explains that his journey started sometimes in 2016, with just a beat. In 2019, through a chance encounter, his fortunes changed. He had released a song, and Charma Gal heard that song and enquired about the owner of the song. She was pointed to Chokoma, and the rest at they say is history. Chokoma would go on to release Ga ke a nyala featuring Charma Gal. That song launched him in the music scene, and today he has three albums under his belt, including Nonyane tse pedi, Boela Gae, and Nchinoga. A many who is always eager to grow his musical footprints, he is always hard at work, making new music.
Quizzed on his genre, he explains that he classifies more as Afro Culture. He notes that he has different elements in his music including a guitar, a tempo which caters to everyone including the young and old, to enjoy his music. This tempo, he says is not slow or fast, and is just perfect for everyone. “I want to see artists from other tribes singing in their language too, such as Bakalaka, and Basarwa, and taking their music to the world,” he explains. On his award, he says that he still believes that he has a lot of work ahead of him. He still believes that God has a bigger plan for him to use his talent.
“I am happy for winning the award. It will motivate me to continue pushing on, and doing what God wants me to do,” he says, noting that he still has a lot of work to do. Meanwhile, he says that for those who wish to make it into the music industry, they need to understand the music business, and the fact that music needs financial resources which will be used to buy studio time, as well as printing album sleeves.
