Motlha strikes again: ‘Dikano’ drops with soul and swagger
After years away from the limelight, Motlha, the soulful crooner behind hits like MmaMotse and Thelerine, is back, and his return is nothing short of triumphant. If ever there was a phoenix moment in Botswana’s music scene, this is it.
Once a permanent fixture on festival stages and radio playlists, Motlha had the magic touch that bridged generations. Young and old could sing along with full hearts and misty eyes, his lyrics speaking to life’s trials, triumphs, and tenderness. At his peak, his calendar was packed, his vocals razor-sharp, and his performances ablaze. But even the brightest stars need time to refuel.
Like many artists who walk the tightrope between creativity and survival, Motlha hit stormy weather. A fallout with his manager and producer, the devastating loss of his brother, spiraling depression, and eventual bankruptcy, life didn’t just knock; it kicked down the door. Faced with chaos, he hit pause. The music faded, the stage lights dimmed, and Motlha vanished into silence.
But silence can be sacred. What looked like a vanishing act turned out to be a deeply personal sabbatical. In the quiet, he healed, regrouped, and most importantly, reconnected with the music that once made him whole.
Fast forward to 2025, and Motlha has emerged from the shadows with Dikano, a song as intimate as a whispered promise. Translating to “vows,” this Afro-Tswana love ballad pours out devotion with warmth and wisdom. It’s not just a tune; it’s a heartfelt oath set to melody.
Motlha explains, “Dikano believes in love that’s patient, protective, and deeply present. It’s a reminder that relationships thrive on effort and empathy. I wanted to write something that speaks to today’s love, complicated, committed, but still breathtaking.”
Laced with poetic Tswana lyrics and layered harmonies, the track is an invitation to reconnect, with a partner, with hope, with the vows we sometimes forget to honor. It marks Motlha’s first release of the year, and fans are already calling it a soul-stirring comeback.
More than just a songwriter, Motlha is a storyteller of the spirit. He writes from the gut, drawing from memories, moods, and moments, past and present. “Sometimes, songwriting feels spiritual,” he reflects. “I listen to the emotion of a melody before I write. That way, the lyrics land where they’re meant to, in the listener’s heart.”
Over the years, he’s joined forces with Botswana’s music royalty, from ATI to Spiza and Double Up, crafting soundscapes that linger long after the beat fades. And now, with Dikano, he proves yet again that some talents don’t just bounce back, they evolve.
Motlha’s return isn’t just good news, it’s a balm for the music community. His voice still carries weight, his lyrics still speak volumes, and his artistry remains untouched by time. If Dikano is the opening note to a new chapter, then consider us hooked.
