From a budding talent on My Star to one of Botswana’s most influential voices in music, business and social impact, Amantle Brown has grown into a force far beyond the stage.
Known for her soulful vocals and chart-topping hits like ‘Black Mampatile’ and ‘Moratiwa’ the 31-year-old has not only refined contemporary R&B locally but also stepped boldly into entrepreneurship and philanthropy.
With recent milestones like representing the country on the global stage at Bigboard Global Power Players Awards London and being a part of the women-led Mosadi Khumo initiative, Amantle continues to inspire a new generation, proving that a powerful voice can echo far beyond music.
Your musical journey started on My Star back in 2012. Take us back, who was Amantle Brown then, and how has she evolved since first stepping into the spotlight?
My Star was definitely the Genesis of Amantle Brown; for that petite little girl from Morwa it was everything. Back then I didn’t understand the industry well or even understand my own power but I knew music was a part of me. Even though I did not win My Star, it gave me visibility and made me develop a thick skin. It taught me that talent is only one part of the equation, the other part being what you do the platform you have being given. However, that is not to say it was smooth sailing thereafter, I went through a lot in life as well as my career. Right now I understand that I have a role to play in my society, that I am a role model to some, a business woman and a community builder, those ups and downs are the lessons that sharpened me to be the brand that I am today. I have evolved from being that little girl to being the young woman I am today that understands she has to take up space and use her voice not just for music but to also have an impact in the lives of Batswana especially the girl child.
You have come a long way in your music career, how many albums do you have now, and which song is your all-time favourite?
So far I have released two studio albums, and quite a number of singles in the course of my 10-year music journey. Each project shows a different version of me and how I felt or where I was in life when writing the songs so picking a favourite song is hard, but as of right now ‘Gomonate’ and ‘Kgantele’ are my absolute favourites. I know many people would expect me to say ‘Black Mampatile’ since its one of my most popular songs but it does not resonate with me as much as the other two.
You’ve performed across big stages, most recently at the Bigboard Global Power Players Awards in London. How did it feel to carry Botswana’s flag alongside global acts like Tems?
I felt it was long overdue, but like I always say God’s time is the best time, every lesson I learnt throughout my journey contributed to me performing well and representing my country the way I did. I am very grateful it came at that time though, looking at how much I have grown personally and career wise, I had never felt more ready. It was powerful to be on that stage knowing that I represent my country, my culture and my journey, it was surreal. For me it was definitely a career defining moment and I could not stop thanking God for that huge opportunity. Sharing the lineup with artists I admire reminded me that we are not just from Botswana but for the world. That moment assured me that I am on the right path.
How do you describe your current sound, and what inspires it today compared to when you first started?
The world has changed so much from the time I started, and I feel a lot of originality is being taken away by social media as well as the proliferation of AI and other tools. In order to survive in the music industry you need to be able to diversify and learn new skills that would help you evolve but not forgetting where you come from and what inspired your music in the first place. It is without doubt that I am still the same Amantle just more intentional, and music is still rooted in afro R&B but carries more storytelling and vulnerability which is inspired by my healing, growth and real emotions.
Looking back, which moment made you pause and say, “I’ve truly grown”?
Apart from Mosadi Khumo initiative which is my heart, I would say it is when my family and I went to donate the proceeds we won at Family Feud Botswana to SOS children’s home. It showed me how far I have come not just as an artist but as an impact driven individual who wants to leave a mark in the community.
If you look at my social media you would agree that it is more purpose based, I am not the same Amantle who had no direction, now I know exactly what I want. I realized it wasn’t just about my voice anymore, it is about legacy about lifting others. That’s growth.
You’re not just an artist, you’re a brand. Tell us about your venture Amaar Biltong. What inspired you to enter the business world?
This one is honestly a funny one because it wasn’t planned, I used to go out and after drinking alcohol, I would crave something salty. I would opt for biltong as a snack but I felt the ones I bought lacked enough flavour so I made my own. Amaar Biltong started as an experiment as I had bought P50 beef and turned it into a very distinctive flavorful biltong which my friends then tasted and encouraged me to sell. Right now it is one of my passion projects. I care very much about quality, especially when it comes to my favourite snack, I wanted to prove that for something as little as biltong I could create a premium quality product and it turned out to be exactly that. It is also a nod to ownership, artists deserve to own outside the mic because we tend to be depressed when the gigs are not coming in; it’s high time we diversify. Music should not be our sole source of income; we should be able to utilize our brands to create different streams of income.
But how do you juggle being a full-time artist with running a business? Do the two worlds ever intersect?
It is a balancing act honestly, it is about time management. I just cut off things that did not serve my goals. We have so much time on our hands and we use it all the wrong ways especially on social media. There are days I have gigs till late and the next morning I have to package biltong orders to package. But both feed on each other, music gave me a platform, business keeps me grounded. And I apply creativity in both.
What advice would you give to other artists hoping to build sustainable brands beyond music, especially in this era of social media?
It is not just about the music, it is also about the brand because even when the music dies the brand alone can still sustain you. Which goes on to talk to brand reputation, you must be intentional and not just follow trends. Social media is a very powerful tool which when used well and aligns with your values can help you build a brand that reflects who you are. And diversify, don’t just wait for shows only, find your passions and turn them into income streams.
The Mosadi Khumo Initiative is a bold step. What sparked the vision behind it?
This is one of the projects that I was very proud to be a part of, its goal was to cultivate women who are goal oriented and empowered them to take up space.
Why was it important for you to create a platform exclusively for women?
Even in today’s age women still shy away from decision making or being in leadership positions, so it is important to create spaces where they can come together and motivate each other through testimonies of those who have made it in the industries they are in.
How about your healthy lifestyle? Tell us about that? How has it changed you and what inspired it?
It was inspired by my partner for sure but for it to be sustainable you need to be goal oriented. When I started working on myself I read a lot of motivational books from which I derived that your health is your wealth. I realized that in order to evolve to be where I want to be I should also prioritize my well being, not just through exercise and healthy eating but also through regular doctor checkups.
Many people see you on stage, but few know the heart behind the artist. Why has giving back become so important to you?
Giving back is exactly who I am, it is something really close to my heart and it comes easy for me because I grew up in poverty, so I understand how it feels to be in need. I have been a misunderstood character for too long, but I believe that’s because people consider me as a loud person who cannot sit back when an injustice is being done to me. Even though I still did it behind the cameras, I felt it was important that I let people see that side of me because it is something I am very passionate about and will continue to do.
What values guide your choices both musically and personally when it comes to using your platform for good?
Consistency and discipline definitely, the cherry on top being prioritizing my spiritual life. All this are the reason where I am where I am today.
What’s next for Amantle Brown? More music? More businesses? More impact?
Amantle Brown is a mogul, I am at a point in my life where I feel situated to go after everything I want and that’s turning my brand into a household name even in the international space. I feel that I am very much in control of my life now and the immense freedom I feel in my heart, in my home and in my space I cannot compare. There is a lot I am working on for sure which I can’t share right now but I have made it a point to document my life so be on the lookout.
When all is said and done, how do you want Botswana and the world to remember your name?
As a woman who used her voice not just to sing but to speak, to lead and to uplift. A girl from Morwa who dared to dream big and helped others to do the same.
