Focalistic

Lethabo Sebetso^[2] (born 26 May 1996), professionally known as Focalistic, is a South African rapper. He rose to prominence after his single "Ke Star", reached number 16 on Billboard Top Triller Global charts.^[3] Born and raised in Pretoria, Sebetso was a footballer prior pursuing a music career as a rapper, released his debut studio album Sgubhu Ses Excellent (2020).

Focalistic
Born	Lethabo Sebetso (1996-05-27) 27 May 1996 (age 27) Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
Other names	Venda Maradona, President ya Straata
Alma mater	University of Pretoria (political science)
Occupations	Rapper singer
Partner	DBN Gogo^[1] (2022–present)
Musical career
Genres	Amapiano, hip hop
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	2016–present
Labels	18 Area Holdings

Career

Lethabo Sebetso born 26 May 1996 in Zone 6, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria,^[4] his father Kgomotso Sebetso was the former political journalist working at SABC. Lethabo graduated at the University of Pretoria in political science degree. In 2016, he won Artist on Rise competition.^[2] His single "Fak'mali" debuted number 1 on YFM Hip Hop music charts. In early 2020, he established his own record label 18 Area Holdings in partnership with The Vth Seasons.^[5][6] On 10 April 2020, his Extended Play Quarantined Tarantino was released.^[7] In April 2020, his single "Ke Star" featuring Vigro Deep was released. "Ke Star" was certified gold with sales of 25 000 copies.^[8]

In November 2020, he joined RADAR African programme by Spotify.^[9] Focalistic revealed track listing and announced release date in 25 November.^[10] Sghubu Ses Excellent was released on 4 December 2020.

In February 2021, his remix "Ke Star", featuring Davido and Virgo Deep was released globally.^[11] The single received enormous international success and charted at number 16 on Billboard Top Triller Global chart in the U.S.^[12] At 2021 All Africa Music Awards he received seven nominations in the Best male artiste, Artiste of the Year, Best African collaborations, Best Artiste African dance, Best Artiste in African Electro, Break out artiste of the year, Song of the Year.^[13]

In early September 2021, he headlined to AmaFest Tour in the UK, to further promote Amapiano genre.^[14] In 27 September, his studio Extended Play, President Ya Straata, was released with its lead single, "16 Days No Sleep", featuring Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa and Mellow & Sleazy.^[15] Focalistic was nominated for Best African Act at MTV Europe Music Awards in 2021.^[16][17]

In early March 2022, Focalistic performed at O2 Arena in London alongside with Nigerian singer Davido.^[18]

In 1 May, he embarked on North American Tour, the tour will visit 12 cities includes; Washington D.C, Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Minnesota, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.^[19]

In October 15, he announced his studio album Ghetto Gospel' which was set to be released on November 18, 2022.

"Tabela Hape" featuring Kabza de Small, Mellow and Sleazy, and Myztro was released on October 28, 2022, as album's lead single.

Ghetto Gospel was released on November 18, 2022.^[20]

Personal life

His father Kgomotso Sebetso died in a car accident in his hometown of Ga-Rankuwa in 2011.^[1] He used to feed pigs everyday , because his father was sick . His father owned a pig farm. Focalistic is dating South African DJ DBN Gogo.^[21]

Discography

• Sgubu ses Excellent (2020)
• President Ya Straata (2021)
• Ghetto Gospel (2022)

Awards and nominations

All Africa Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Himself	Best Male Artist in Southern Africa	Nominated	^[22]

African Muzik Magazine Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2021	Ke star (Remix)"	Best Collaboration	Won	^[23]
		Best Male Southern Africa	Won
		Song of the Year	Nominated

Headies

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Himself	Best Southern African Artiste Of The Year	Won	^[24]^[25]

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Himself	Favourite African Star	Nominated	^[26]

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	Himself	Best African Artist	Nominated	^[27]

South African Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2022	President Ya Straata	Best Amapiano Album	Nominated	^[28]

References

1. Seemela, Masego (2 March 2022). "Let's fall in love with Focalistic and DBN Gogo in Paris". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
2. Mokwena, Tebogo. "FOCALISTIC SETS HIS SIGHTS ON STARDOM". Daily SUN. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
3. Ngenyane, By Andiswa. "FOCALISTIC'S KE STAR REMIX MAKES WAVES IN USA!". Daily Sun (South Africa). Retrieved 10 April 2023.
4. Kumona, Molife (7 January 2022). "The only Focalistic interview worth reading right now". GQ. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
5. Ntsinde, Mandisa. "Opinion: Here How Focalistic Has Managed To Completely Own 2020". zkhiphani. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
6. Mazaza, Shiba Melissa (20 December 2020). "Focalistic's 20/20 vision for Africa | Citypress". Citypress. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
7. Jabulani, John. "Focalistic drops New "Quarantined Tarantino" EP". Ubetoo. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
8. Israel A, John. "Focalistic's "Ke Star" Song With DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small has Gone Gold". Ubetoo. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
9. "Spotify announces Focalistic as its latest RADAR Africa Artist | YoMzansi. Documenting THE CULTURE". YoMzansi. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
10. "FOCALISTIC announces new album 'Sghubu Ses Excellent' | YoMzansi | Documenting THE CULTURE". 25 November 2020.
11. Shabangu, Nobantu. "Focalistic Drops 'Ke Star' Remix Featuring Davido – OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
12. Nkosi, Jabulani. "Focalistic's "Ke Star" Remix Becomes 1st SA Song To Reach Global Billboard Triller Chart". Ubetoo. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
13. M, Recky. "Focalistic bags 7 AFRIMA nominations | Celebs Now". Celebs Now. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
14. "WATCH: DBN Gogo, Kamo Mphela, Focalistic and Mr JazziQ bring amapiano to the UK". Independent Online. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
15. "Focalistic has released his new EP, President Ya Straata, which was released with the lead single, 16 Days No Sleep, featuring Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa and Mellow & Sleazy". JustNje. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
16. Tjiya, Emmanuel. "Focalistic's star rises as he gets nominated for MTV EMA". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
17. Tjiya, Emmanuel (15 December 2021). "The year of superstar Focalistic". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
18. Gaanakgomo, Constance (7 March 2022). "WATCH | 'Pitori to London'- Focalistic performs alongside Davido at O2 arena". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
19. Darangwa, Shingai (1 May 2022). "Focalistic kicks off 12-city North American tour". Independent Online. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
20. "Focalistic Releases Debut Album 'Ghetto Gospel' | Slikouronlife". Slikouronlife. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
21. Mphande, Joy (16 February 2022). "New couple alert — DBN Gogo and Focalistic revealing they are 'dating'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
22. Hansen, Gabriel Myers (15 September 2022). "All Africa Music Awards 2022: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
23. Hansen, Gabriel Myers (13 December 2021). "African Muzik Magazine Awards 2021: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
24. Hansen, Gabriel Myers (5 September 2022). "Headies 2022: All the winners". Music in Africa. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
25. Gaanakgomo, Constance (8 September 2022). "Focalistic bags 'Best Southern African Artiste Of The Year' the 15th Headies Awards". TshisaLIVE. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
26. Shumba, Ano (23 March 2022). "African artists nominated for Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
27. Hansen, Gabriel Myers (21 March 2022). "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2022: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
28. "Ful list of 2022 SAMA nominees | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2022.