Botswana: Brendy Waves Blends Gospel-Disco Music

Botswana: Brendy Waves Blends Gospel-Disco Music

Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)

MUSIC REVIEW
9 August 2007
Posted to the web 9 August 2007

Chippa Legodimo

Brendy Waves is a Christian at heart but he loves disco music. It has been difficult for him to leave one and go with the other. The release of his debut album bears testimony to this fact because the eight-track piece is a disco album with a dose of gospel melodies.

Simply titled Hard Worker, Brendy Waves of Moshupa has worked tirelessly for two years to reach a stage where he can now walk out of a recording studio with a "finished" copy and have it on the shelves almost immediately. Many people who frequented a popular shop in Kanye last year used to see a skinny young man, playing a small Casio keyboard in front of the shops. By his side would be a small plastic mug so well wishers could throw in a few coins. Some were charitable enough to oblige while others simply dismissed him as if he were a tramp.

"I have been abused by some people while some have been very supportive and all these have actually helped me to grow in spirits. There was a time when I felt so bad that I just said why should I waste my time. But a after some introspection I told myself that I had a dream to fulfil and I had to prove to them that I could do it," Brendy said.

He explained to Showbiz that coming from a poor background and unemployed he had no money to cut a CD, hence the decision to play for a few thebes. But thanks to perseverance and hard work, he was able to raise enough money to finally release his album.

But when things started to look up Brendy Waves did not forget those who helped him realise his dream. However, his experiences especially the bad, seem to have clouded his mind and affected his creativity during the production of the album.

The tracks Chip and Chow as well as Babereki ba Choppies, would have been much better tracks had Brendy not focused too much on expressing his appreciating of their support. The instruments are well arranged but the lyrics lack the seriousness to captivate the listener.

"I used to play in front of Chip and Chow and the owners were supportive instead of pushing me out like others would do. Choppies employees were also very supportive and gave me some handouts and this is my way of saying 'thank you'," he said.

The 29-year-old believes that he was born to sing, having started playing keyboards at church as a youngster. "I have always followed Splash and Dan Tshanda was my inspiration, which is why my music sounds very much like his. I played in churches and was confined to gospel but my love for disco kept on growing," he said.

This is not a bad album for starters but Brendy Waves should try to display more maturity in his music if he is to create waves in the music circles.