GET TO KNOW: Botswana born songstress Titose strips off a layer for us to get closer to her
Titose, is a young RnB singer songwriter who hails from Botswana and refers to herself as an empath. A “recovering undercover over-lover”, she is a young muso who is just trying to make sense of life and its experiences. And like the country, calm and exclusive, Titose is quite shy in person, “but somehow I’ll confront you in a song. God is my everything,” she said.
Get to know the songbird below in our exclusive Q&A.
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How did the name Titose come about and what is your real name? My actual government name is Titose Natasha. Titose translates to ‘we are together’ in my mother tongue, iKalanga. When I entered the music scene, I was uploading my first song to SoundCloud and my producer is like. “Ok so.. What’s your stage name gonna be?” Because I had 0 fans and was doing it purely out of fun I like. It can’t be my second name, (Natasha) so my first name is. Because it’s a bit more unique. Little did I know one day people who aren’t from my country would be trying to say my name. I’ve considered changing my artist name a few times due to pronunciation challenges, but I’ve come to appreciate its uniqueness and have grown to love it.
How has the journey of music been since the release of your EP two years ago? Since the release of my EP two years ago, the musical journey has been an incredible ride of growth and discovery. Through juggling university, I’ve honed my sound, expanded my fan base, and had the opportunity to collaborate with talented individuals in the industry. The positive reception from listeners has been humbling, motivating me to delve deeper into my artistry. Overall, these past two years have been a transformative period, shaping my music and paving the way for exciting developments in my musical career.
Tell us a little about ‘Star – inspirations and all? Also fill us in on your upcoming EP.
For my latest single Star, I drew inspiration from a combination of personal experiences and the universal theme of resilience. It reflects the determination to shine bright even in challenging times. Regarding my sophomore project, I’m excited to announce that my upcoming EP features eight songs, and I had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented Moliy on a song called Infinity (which is out right now). She is the only featured artist on this project. Production wise, my team and I brought in a live instrumentalist to infuse the magic of cello and viola into a few tracks. It wasn’t completely easy getting things together but it was a beautiful experience as it’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing with my music.
Why RnB? Frankly, I thought I’d be an alternative artist. I was very ready to dye my hair and go full on punk rock. jokes. But my producer (Grammy Award nominated Amobeatz) his background is R&B. So when we started creating together I slowly started falling in love with that form of expression. It forces you to be vulnerable. To say what you’re feeling. That unique ability to convey emotions and tell stories in a soulful and authentic way enamored me. It gave a space for healing as R&B provides a platform to express the depth of personal experiences, love, and self-discovery through a melodic/ rhythmic lens. Also I love how it’s getting more and more vulnerable and there’s room to experiment. You can play with a lot of sounds. The rich history and diverse expressions within R&B resonate with my own artistic vision too!
What are some of your pastimes activities that you love to keep you entertained? I love reading, currently enjoying an author called Sally Rooney. Writing, hiking, and making playlists. I love watching documentaries, superhero stuff and being into Christian content – Jackie Hill Perry’s podcast!
When did you realise that music is the hill you are willing to die on? The realization that music is the hill I’m willing to die on came during my teenage years. I recognized the profound impact it has on my life and the lives of others. The ability to influence the way a person feels, to share stories, and create connections through music became an integral part of who I am. It’s not just a passion, it’s a calling that I’m committed to, even in the face of challenges. The moments of inspiration, the joy of creating, and the impact on listeners confirmed that music is the hill where my purpose and passion converge.
What language do you speak at home? At home, I communicate in English and Setswana. However my family has a rich cultural heritage in the Kalanga language.
How is/was your home life growing up? What kind of a child were you? In my home life growing up, I was a curious, outgoing and “talkative” child. I lived in Australia for a short while where I got to exercise my love for the performing arts. I come from a family that values education, so being an avid reader and being studious was ingrained in me from an early age. I found joy in reading and writing and actively engaging in school debates. I was a nerd, participated in the Math-Olympics, the whole thing. Regarding family, I had a close and loving relationship with most of my family.
They played a crucial role in shaping who I am today. My family loves music.
My late cousin in particular played a huge role in my tastes and passions in music. He introduced me to a diverse range of music like Erykah Badu, Little Dragon, Radiohead, A Tribe Called Kwest to name a few, which made me fall even more in love with music and inspired me to create my own. I actually wrote a song after he passed away called Heart on Fire on my debut EP.
My older brother did music as well and I’d always admire watching him go to the studio when I was a little girl and dreamt I’d get to do that too!
Do you own/love pets? I love pets. My family has dogs and cats. Growing up, we had dogs, and my mom has ducks. I would like to believe my family has a strong affinity for farming, which is why we had ducks as part of our household. Lol!
What does music mean to you? More than a form of expression, Music is healing energy. My cousin who is a jazz musician (Bokani Dyer) once explained to me that it’s one of the few art expressions that can influence how a person feels. That’s a powerful man. I’ve cried to music. Laughed to it. Danced to it. Thought and re-thought to it. The way it can transport you back to a time when life was either much simpler or more complex? It’s the soundtrack to my life. I wouldn’t be here without it. It’s the tether. It’s the elixir. It’s the lifeline.
What sort of musician do you want to be remembered as? I aspire to be remembered as a musician who created music that resonated with emotions, inspired others and stood the test of time. I reflect on the music that shaped my upbringing and the profound impact it had on me. With my own music, I aim to inspire others, delivering a message of hope to those who may need it on any given day.
What do you want your music to do in society? I hope my music serves as a source of connection, comfort, and inspiration in society. Music has the power to bring people together and evoke emotions. I want my work to contribute positively to people’s lives and experiences.
Stream‘Star’, now on all platforms.
Connect with Titose
Instagram: @titose
Twitter/X: @Titose_official
