Volume 52 Issue 10 - October 2014 : Entertainment
La Timmy: Entertainer Extraordinaire
Author : Calviniah Kgautlhe
Who is DJ La Timmy?
La Timmy: I am La Timmy the entertainer because when I get invited to perform somewhere I perform to my level best and I also DJ. I do not limit myself because I use all of my arty talents. I can proudly proclaim that I am an artist, singer, DJ, MC, and record producer!
Sounds like a complete package, interesting! How did you land your stage name ‘La Timmy`?
La Timmy: (smiles)… I entertain without limits. I can perform anywhere, be it corporate or social events... and my dear I have come from far with entertainment. I got it from VEE while I worked with him in Zimbabwe. Initially, I was called ‘Timmy` but he started to affectionately call me La Timmy, after a show we performed at which was full of francophone speaking countries. Everyone there who spoke used a lot of ‘La` and it was funny, so the crew made fun of it and started calling each other ‘La something`. It all began from there, I liked the name and so I decided to use it as my stage name.
What motivated you to enter this industry and gain ground?
La Timmy: It was just something in me. I started as a traditional dancer at primary school. Unlike other children who had ambitions of becoming nurses, policemen or doctors and so forth, myself I did not have any aspirations for the future. I simply loved music. I enjoyed collecting cassettes, and records and listening to them. As I grew up it began to dawn on me that I was an entertainer.
Briefly share your career experience?
La Timmy: I started my music career in 2004 as a DJ in Francistown and then relocated to Gaborone in 2006 where I worked with VEE as a DJ in his tours for four years. I then left to pursue a solo music career in 2008 releasing my debut album Motho which was quite successful followed by Nfana wa Kasane in 2010. Since then I flourished and I produced hit singles, My Babe, and ‘Yah Neh, Nanzala Vuke which I produced in my own studio Beatmechanix.
So you have your own studio?
La Timmy: Yes, I produced Nanzala vuke & Yeh Neh under my music label Beatmechanix in my own studio. I decided to invest money from shows into Beatmechanix which is more convenient for me now. I`m planning to release my third album early next year.
Ooh Ok, so what is the highlight of your illustrious Career?
La Timmy: It will have to be performing at Urban Legends alongside Shaggy in 2009 and Eve in 2011. When I performed then, reception was quite good, it was the first time for me to perform on a big stage, under professional lighting, professional sound, and of cause experiencing VIP treatment (smiles).
What has this experience taught you as an artist?
La Timmy: It has taught me to work hard, look presentable all time, because for you to reach higher levels you need to treat yourself seriously. You don`t just walk on stage.
What huddles do you encounter in your profession?
La Timmy: Financial my dear, financial, for me because I finance myself. Again, a small Botswana market is a challenge. Again professionalism in the industry is lacking, for example when you are booked to perform you need certain equipment but it`s not there. Again, event coordinators and promoters take us for granted but treat international artists well and that is embarrassing. Moreover, we don`t have trained artist mangers locally, we end up training them ourselves which takes quite some time.
I noticed that most artists take long to release albums what could be the reason?
La Timmy: We take longer time to release albums because people no longer buy albums they just download from the internet or use memory sticks to download music. We don`t make much money from sales of albums, we rather focus on improving live performances.
Ok, so what are you up to?
La Timmy: I am heading to Namibia next month. I must say Nanzala Vuke hit single has opened doors for me, so on November 1, I will be performing at a launch of a famous DJ there.
All the best, bravo!
La Timmy: Thank you! ENDS