La Timmy: Entertainer Extraordinaire
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Calviniah Kgautlhe
Location : GABORONE
Event : Q&A session
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
Teaser:
Like an eagle, popular Flava Dome resident DJ, flamboyant and stylish La Timmy is soaring high in the entertainment industry. He oozes nothing but swag and harbours high hopes for the local entertainment industry. A man whose energy is infectious, constantly seeking to outdo himself, re-invent himself, describes his persona in one word as La Timmy the ‘Entertainer!`
