Having spent over half his life at the forefront of the music industry, 43-year-old Gilbert Seagile truly deserves his legendary status.
Known as PP in showbiz, the entertainer currently wears the hat of President of the Botswana Entertainment Promoters Association (BEPA)
What have you been up to since the Covid-19 hit?
I have been focusing on rebranding my brand.
I decided to use this opportunity to map my life and work on my purpose, identify my strengths and weaknesses – basically, to reinvent myself both professionally and personally.
Have you stopped your campaign to get the government to reopen the industry?
The campaign has not stopped.
In fact, we are about to go out again a full force to sensitize the importance of reopening the industry in a phased, strategic manner.
After we have gathered all information, we will present a paper to the government once more.
The truth is other countries have opened the industry and we need to first figure out how they did it and then approach the government again.
Closer to home, what new projects are you working on?
Well before Covid-19 messed up everything, I had actually just signed over rights to KRS ONE to introduce Hip Hop temple in Botswana where local MCs would battle it out and freestyle on stage.
But now the focus is on my new TV project, Red Carpet.
You released a ‘diss track’ last year. Tell us more!
In my youth, I was an underground battle MC.
We used to travel from Gaborone to Francistown via the night train just to battle other MCs.
This was before the era of social media and cellphones so those meetings were more physical.
About that particular diss track, this other artist released a song dissing me first.
The track was called ‘Lenwenwe’ and so I had to respond.
It was nothing personal, it is just the music game.
Any possibility of releasing a long-awaited PP EP?
Soon.
How did the name PP come about?
Back then you needed a name that stood out, that is how you made it.
At first, I called myself Baby Born but with time I realised I needed a much more street-cred worthy name that was hard and not soft.
And so when brainstorming this name I thought of how I grew up, it was not an easy road, it was a ‘Period of ‘Pain for me and so I abbreviated it to PP.
How has the entertainment industry changed over the years?
The industry has grown in leaps and bounds and I personally feel it is ready to compete in the global market.
For instance, I listened to The Voice and MDUs Top 10 Rappers list, and immediately you can tell there is so much talent locally.
What’s lacking behind are structures and policies to help push such talent.
Five things people don’t know about you?
1. I am a junior school dropout coz of hardcore Hip Hop influence
2. I am recovering from depression of four years
3. I am a prayer warrior
4. I hate relationships
5. I am single with no children because my principle is to marry first
