Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Art & Culture

Artistic expression has the ability to transform society.  The Renaissance period across Europe, which between the 14th and 17th centuries became the bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history, was triggered by a cultural movement in medieval Italy.

In the post-2000 period, Botswana has experienced a large wave of cultural expression, with the emergence of musicians, poets, actors, painters/artists and fashion designers.  Traditional art forms such as ‘borankana` have been revived; with contemporary arts countenance such as hip hop ‘motswako` emerging.

One young Motswana who is seeking to find his niche in modern Botswana musical space is Blessing Mosweu, a youngster who hails from Thamaga.

Raised in Gaborone, and partly in Mafikeng, South Africa, Blessing, who goes by the stage name Nikka Blair has been caught by the hip hop bug that has captivated youth of African descent across the world.

“I was raised in a musical family,” Nikka Blair tells Kutlwano in an interview, “my mother was into music at church.  But for me, the greatest influence came from listening to American hip hop acts such as J Cole, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar,” he says. ENDS

Performing at clubs and beauty pageants helped him grow in confidence, and with his music now on rotation on local radio, he seeks to crack it big in the industry.

Blair`s beats are essentially trap, a variant of hip hop that originates from the American South, with heavy sub-bass lines, and symphonic use of rhythms; popularized initially by groups such as Outkast, and in recent times by Rick Ross.

By fusing trap beats with Setswana rap lyrics, ‘motswako`, Nikka Blair attempts to cater for a youth who tend to be enamored by American acts, but want lyrics that speak to their daily environment.

Nikka Blair`s single Gold Chain featuring Touch Motswako and Chaba Heightz showcases his ability as an aspiring musician.

“I have just produced a mixtape with 13 songs, which is the prelude to a full album.  There has been great reception to my music and my intentions are to do well in the Botswana and Southern African market,” Nikka Blair says.

In recent times Batswana hip hop artistes Scar and Zeus managed to make an impression across Africa, taking advantage of pan-African music channels such as MTV Base and Channel O.

But their success has tended to be an exception- hip hop generally struggles in a Botswana domestic market where borankana, Afro-pop, rhumba/kwasa and kwaito seem to sell. Local hip hop is yet to produce a mega star in the mould of Vee or Charma Gal.

“Yes, I know,” Nikka Blair admits.  “But as an artiste I have to express what I feel musically and for me that is hip hop.  Also, with the fusion of English and Setswana lyrical content, I believe I can be able to push the boundaries, and break the barriers in the market,” he says.

From the sounds he has produced, his star ability is clear.  Yet, the jury is still out on whether he will proceed to be the next big thing. ENDS

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