DENIM are one of the best live acts in the country. They have made a success and fortune out of corporates by performing mostly covers.
Now, Denim member Bo (pictured) has decided to branch out into the solo realm and release an original album.
His first single is #Together PeopleRise. The track has a catchy commercial beat and is best described as good pop/house. It will probably be a success across all adult contemporary stations.
“The song is a reflection of how I view my country,” says the chatty young man. “It doesn’t matter what we go through, we will get to that point again. People take for granted how different we are. We are still a fairly new democracy and have a generation that is rising above the apartheid generation.”
Being a huge fan of soccer, and particularly Kaizer Chiefs, he was lucky enough to be invited to perform at the World Cup in Brazil. He takes up the story.
“My first gig as a solo artist was in Tuscany, Italy, for Jerome Valcke who is the secretary general of Fifa.”
Based on that he was invited to perform at the World Cup in Brazil where he got to stay in a penthouse for three weeks during the event: “I wish South Africans could have experienced what happened in Brazil. People at the World Cup still remembered the South African event. After our World Cup the rest of the world saw us in a positive light and they saw the good in us. At that time we were so proud of ourselves and then, two years later, sadly, it all went downhill.”
Wise words from this diminutive popstar. So why did it take so long to venture into a solo career?
“I always said that the only time I would go solo is when I have something to say, which is now. Also, I wanted to grow as a performer.”
His solo career does not mark the end of Denim, however.
“With Denim, we kill the corporate market. When I saw Dr Victor for the first time I was inspired. I thought, ‘if I could add my personality to all that cover stuff I will make a success’.
“Denim gave me the opportunity to remix covers well and it gave us the opportunity to feed our families, which is so important.”
He believes that Denim helped pave the way for original South African artists to make their mark with corporates: “A lot of artists are now doing corporates and understand that there is space for corporate gigs.”
Future plans for his album include a video with KO, AKA and Da Les. As I write this he is performing in Dubai and, on his return, he wants to work more with a full live band: “When I saw Lebo Mathosa perform with a live band I knew I had to do that.”
What can fans expect from his new music? “Most of my songs are personal and will be in the pop/ R&B genre. I have a chance to share myself. Music is about painting pictures for your listener.”