MMP Here to Stay
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Wendy Sentomba and Faith Mothelesi
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Article: Wendy Setomba & Faith Mothelesi
Photo: Phenyo Moalosi
Q: What inspired the name MMP family, is it an abbreviation of something or what?
A: MMP is actually a combination of our three street names being ‘Mzico` (Tebogo Baipidi) M.O.D, (Modiri Nage) and Ple`s (Mothusi Jackalas) and we adapted the first letters and formed the group MMP Family.
Q: When did MMP family start, take us through the journey of how you guys met?
A: Ha! Ha! It was not really hard to form this group as we had known each other since we grew up together in Gaborone West plus we had the same passion and love for the music game. We met way back in 2001 while in junior school at Marulamantsi Junior Secondary School.
Q: How did your first album do on the market, I mean how did Batswana respond to it?
A: We believe music on its own is a journey. Our first single was Basadi back then but it did not do well in the market. Nonetheless, that did not discourage us as we felt it was the start of everything because it was our first proper recording which we did at Small House Records owned by Thabo Kgosiemang. Berry Bone was the producer at the time.
Q: Generally, outside music and studio times, what keeps you guys busy?
A: Actually, as we were growing up we were told that education was the key to success. We all finished our tertiary education and of recent we are fully focused on our music career which we believe is our calling.
Q: How many albums or singles have you released so far?
A: So far, we have released two albums; Mo Spacing in 2012 followed by Lesson one which was released in 2014 and eight singles including the newly released, My money.
Q: In previous years we have witnessed MMP Family receiving numerous awards, tell us about the experience and in which categories did you win the awards?
A: Wow! (with a wide smile) You know the music industry is a gamble, it needs determined people who are willing to face any challenge, and for us hard work paid because in 2012, we won Best Kwaito Album, 2015 we won five awards, two from Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU); one for Best Kwaito and Best Group. The same year we also won three YAMA awards; People`s Choice Award, Song of the Year and Best Kwaito and indeed 2015 was a very good year for us.
Q: Rumour has it that you guys have at some point split, how true is this, and what triggered such speculation?
A: We are here to stay; family is not about blood but about who is willing to hold your hand when you need it the most. We recently parted ways with our manager; yes there has been speculation that we had parted ways but none of that is true.
Q: How have you managed to stay intact as a group, knowing how hard it is for groups to stay that long?
A: For us, it has been easy since we grew up together we have known each other for a very long time so we are more like brothers and we do not let our differences come between our music careers.
Q: Recently you guys appeared in a song with Bang Gae! Tell us about your collaboration in the song Tse mnate.
A: Well, Bang Gae! Is an upcoming studio with various artists and they have something different to offer that is why we collaborated with them.
We believe that we can make something good here. We have done a couple of shows with them and we are yet to do more with them. It is true that dynamites come in small packages and yea watch the space.
