Jazz crooner Kearoma Rantao has come a long way
Very few female jazz crooners have achieved what this Motswana lady has achieved in the very little time that she has been in the music industry. From playing in local venues to straddling the world stage; Kearoma Rantao’s music world is a mosaic of many firsts. She shares her story with CEO Africa magazine in the excerpts below…
- You are quoted as saying that you are “a very versatile, talented musician with style and dedication to make it happen…” What makes Kearoma tick and who inspires Kearoma?
- I am highly inspired by life. My dear parents and my five beautiful children give me hope and a reading to look up to the next day every day and every good opportunity brings a spark, thoughtfulness and a reason to be alive. Live challenges and pitfalls that remind me of my strength and drive me to not fail but to win.
You feel your music “is a conversation between me and the world around …” kindly expand on that one for someone who is yet to listen to your genre of music.
Music is communication as they say, it can be about myself or someone else out there. The world awaits to know what’s on at most times , how people feel , what we see , what we think , what is out there? That is, song writing “lyrics” say a lot. Just listen to one of my songs, you will relate. “A Woman’s Cry” from “When the music play” album, is a good reference. It’s a call for someone to listen to a cry of a woman. “Meropa” simply expresses the beauty of musical instruments and music itself.
What lessons did you learn from a collaborative part for a collaborative album ‘Tales from Botswana’ which features German and Irish artists in 2012?
Oh, a great experience. Especially working and recording with talented local & international musicians, going on a 3 weeks tour of Europe for the first time, the challenges, the fun, the deliverance, the appreciation from people out there: Indeed music can take one places. I loved the experience and would do it one more time again and again.
Again your journeys around the world are the envy of many aspiring as well as established crooners: which part of the world has had the most lasting impression on your musical growth and why?
I’d say all of them. I did a few tours in Europe representing the country, got to meet musicians and perform at places I grew up seeing on television and all. I mean, it was almost everything. Yes, being a nominee at Afrimma Awards 2014 was one of a kind. Being the first ever Motswana female artist from Botswana to be nominated for Best Female Southern Africa category, amongst other music giants was a dream come true, and also representing my Continent at the Africa Music Festival in Boston 2016, as the headlining performer and where I got to perform and record with Berkeley College music students was a wow! opportunity. I am still looking forward to travelling and doing more music out there. I have met great, seasoned musicians in Asia, Dwiki Dharmawan from Indonesia, Where I was to travel to when CORVID-19 knocked and shut my opportunities. And Moonjune records in New York City, USA. I am still looking forward to meeting them again.
‘When the music plays…’ is your first solo Afro jazz offering, what inspired the creation of the album and who was roped in to bring out the beat you so desired?
I wrote the lyrics, the album was recorded at Hi Note Studios in Gaborone, by Tshepho Lesole and the instrumentals recorded by our local musicians that I work daily with. Amongst them, Gee Gomotsegang Rapoo (lead guitar) Kabelo Tamukate on Bass Guitar
It is no secret that the annual African Festival of Boston is a festival which is a celebration of authentic African music, food, art and fashion. As a Motswana in the US what did you carry along when you were invited to be part of the jamboree in 2016?
I took along with me the great sounds of my music, very rich in African rhythm as well as my experience with international sound. I definitely went there to represent my roots: Africa
How did it feel to be part of the Botswana artists who were first nominated in Best Female Southern Africa category at the Africa Music Magazine Award in Dallas?
Amazing…
As a woman musician, you have a soft spot for girls and helping girls in all walks of life is what you enjoy doing. You are a philanthropist who strongly believes and advocates for the protection and empowerment of young girls and women. You sits on the steering committee for UNICEF Botswana: talk to our readers more about this positive development.
Indeed, what would be my purpose in life if I was just living to sing and dance only? The girl child that I once were, and the woman I am now. One would say, what a journey travelled. I have grown to see life challenges and its achievements. I was taught to love, pray, share, care and protect because I was also protected and loved. This is how I extend my love, share the little I know and have and I really enjoy that space more than anything. It’s very important to me and more important to those little girls around me.
Lastly, what should the followers expect in the near future coming from mme Rantao?
Another music album of course, more shows, more collaborations. More charity work (giving is caring). More music … and yes growth of my other passion, My New Baby, Cheri and Auti Fashions… The Clothing Brand
