Focalistic’s sonic catchphrase, “Ase trap tse ke pina tsa ko kasi” has sealed his superstar status early in his career.
The 24-year-old supernova, real name Lethabo Sebetso, uses the signature line in many of his songs as a precursor warning to listeners that he’s about to drop a fire verse. In doing so he has become the poster boy of genre-blending, the music style of local hip hop and Amapiano.
Born in GaRankuwa, north of Pretoria, Focalistic laughs his head off as we discuss his slogan. which loosely translates to “This is not trap music, it’s songs we listen to in the township” becoming a meme. That’s because many of his fans not fluent in Sepitori (Pretoria lingo) have been misinterpreting it.
One Twitter user went viral during the festive season after they hilariously misheard the lyric and thought Focalistic is saying: “aksi trap voetsek sise kasi”.
“It has become a joke to misinterpret it but the sentiment is at the heart of it and that’s what keeps it going,” Focalistic believes.
“Once they find out what it means, people live it. I also laugh with the people, but as long as they get the gist of it then it’s a movement.
“Through the slogan I’m trying to make people understand that there is a new wave in Africa of people wanting to hear things in their own voice – from our clothing to music we just want to own. So I thought as much as I hear trap music, it just wasn’t relating to me.”
Focalistic holds that through his genre-blurring sound – an unapologetic blast of kasi pride – he’s picking up the baton from music titans including Brown Dash, HHP and Khuli Chana.
“It’s something that has always been there. I took it to another level that people have not thought of with Amapiano and I’m glad that people are gravitating towards that sound,” Focalistic says.
“The kwaito bass-line is still prevalent in Amapiano – just faster. That’s what SA is about – a heavy bass-line, and smart lyrics that equate to rapping and dancing.”
A year ago, Focalistic was relatively unknown but first got the attention of SA with his guest appearance on Sandton by DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. When the Covid-19 lockdown hit SA, he saw it as an opportunity to introduce Mzansi to his unique sound.
During the lockdown period, he dropped three EPs, Quarantined Tarantino, Blecke and Sghubu Ses Excellent, yielding hit singles Ke Star, Onoroko and Vrr Phaa. He’s become the go-to collaborator for Moonchild, Junior Taurus, Mr JazziQ, Vigro Deep and Major League DJz.
Focalistic closed 2020 on a high after he topped the coveted MTV Base: SA’s Hottest MCs list, beating Yanga Chief, Nasty C, Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick and Big Zulu.
He’s also been nominated for breakthrough act at the MTV Africa Music Awards (Mamas) alongside Elaine, Sha Sha, Tems, Zuchu, John Blaq and Omah Lay.
“My career blowing up during the Covid-19 pandemic is a big blessing that I can never take for granted,” Focalistic says.
“I think when we went into the lockdown I was inspired to work harder because people were sad and I needed to be the positivity in the world. My real name (Lethabo, meaning happiness) says it all. I always felt like my purpose in life is to make people happy.”
The middle child of three children, Focalistic’s mother is a teacher and his late father was renowned political journalist Kgomotso Sebetso. He credits his love for music to his father, who gifted him a microphone while he was in Grade 9.
“I think it’s such a symbolic thing that before he passed he bought me a mic. So I can feel his spirit and guidance,” Focalistic says.
“I’m not a very talkative person, so I thought, let me talk into the mic.
“I talk about what’s happening in my life, I live vicariously through other people and like my dad I feel like I’m a journalist – just in another realm of journalism. I’m reporting what I’m seeing but over a beat.”
The biggest observation I made during our conversation is that Focalistic is not only about the vibes, he’s a very cerebral musician. It can mostly be credited to his degree in political science that he obtained from University of Pretoria.
“My degree taught me a lot about the world and I still have a lot to give people,” Focalistic says.
“My obsession is getting SA to a level where we don’t want anything mediocre. I’m all for excellence. You can come from the hood like me but do something that is bigger than you.”
In case you were wondering how he got his other moniker, Pitori Maradona, that’s because he almost became a soccer star. He was a top goal-scorer and wore the number 10 jersey like Diego Maradona, Pele and Lionel Messi.
Fact file: Focalistic
Favourite food: Kota (last number)
Favourite movie: Tsotsi
Favourite actor: Terry Pheto
Favourite book: The 48 Laws of Power
Favourite sport star: Teko Modise, Lehlohonolo Majoro and George Lebese
Favourite soccer team: Kaizer Chiefs
Favourite emoji: Fire Flames
Top three songs on my playlist:
Ke Star – Focalistic featuring Vigro Deep
Onoroko – Focalistic featuring Riky Rick, Reece Madlisa and Semi Tee
Mercedes – Semi Tee featuring Focalistic
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