Amantle Brown clears ‘name’ saga
AMANTLE BROWN REFLECTS ON NAME ‘SAGA
Nearly five years after a public naming controversy shook her career, acclaimed artist Amantle Brown is openly reflecting on the profound and lasting damage it inflicted. What started as a creative choice, drawing inspiration from global star Chris Brown, quickly spiraled into a deeply personal and professional crisis, the aftershocks of which she still feels today.
“I always underestimated the damage that the name did,” Amantle Brown shared candidly in a recent reflection. “It turned out that I was bullying her.” The “her” refers to another individual, sharing the same birth name, who felt disrespected by the artist’s adoption of the moniker.
The scandal ignited a firestorm, tarnishing the name itself and leading to immense public scrutiny. “There’s too much debt with Amantle Brown,” she admitted, referencing the negative associations and financial setbacks tied to the controversy.
The confusion among the public and the perception of her “bullying” someone with their real name proved to be an overwhelming hurdle for her burgeoning brand.
Amantle Brown revealed the sheer effort that went into building her brand before the storm hit. “It took so much time, sweat, money building the brand,” she explained.
However, the saga unfolded rapidly over just “nine days,” dominating social media discussions. The impact was immediate and devastating. “I’ve never been so crushed like that; it hit me by the neck,” she recounted, still visibly pained by the memory. “I felt betrayed by Batswana; it seemed like I’d never made any impact. It took bread out of my mouth.”
Prior to the scandal, Amantle Brown’s brand was thriving, securing partnerships in fashion and music. “Ever since then, the brand slipped, everything went away that we had to rebuild again, lost everything,” she lamented.
The experience forced her to rebrand, a process that proved challenging and ultimately led her back to using the familiar name, despite its complicated history.
Despite the immense professional setbacks, Amantle Brown’s resilient spirit remains unbroken. Her determination, she explains, is rooted in her formative years. “I am a go-getter, from childhood, poor background, humble beginnings,” she asserted. Her imaginative drive began early, sparked by a curiosity about those born into privilege.
Her journey into music was not immediate. A self-described “book worm” and “A-student,” singing initially came as a “curiosity.” She began with dancing, influenced by local legends like Vee Mampeezy, Scavenja, and the auditions of Flava Dome and Mantlwaneng.
It was her participation in “My Star” in 2012, where she landed in the top 10, that truly ignited her resolve. “I needed to prove a point, had to show them, I fight for what’s mine,” she declared.
Winning at “My Star” was the definitive moment that launched her into the professional music arena, a path she continues to forge despite the enduring scars of her past.
