Tate Buti Drops ‘Ondjeke’

• Rukee Kaakunga With his 15th album officially dropping today, Tate Buti has given a clear indication that he has not reached the end of his music career just yet.

‘Ondjeke’, Tate Buti’s latest album, features many interesting collaborations ranging from equally charismatic musicians like South African artist Dr Malinga and Swart Baster.

Another collaboration, with Top Cheri, is also part of the project, making it the third time the two have paired up on a song. Tate Buti says he enjoys working with the ‘Hangover’ hitmaker because she’s like a daughter to him and she’s “unique from the rest”. Other collaborations on the album include PDK’s Patrick Mwashindange and Allen Johnathan, with Glo on mixing and mastering and Araffath making an apperance on the album as well.

Tate Buti promises that the album is unlike any of his previous works as it not only has his signature upbeat bangers. “There are more emotional songs on this album. I think about life in general and what’s happening around me,” he says.

With the album officially on the market, the threat of piracy is just as real as the expectation for the album to sell well. Tate Buti is unapologetic in saying that he will continue to deal with those who pirate his music. “For the jukebox guys, if we catch you, we will still make an example of you,” he says.

He’s hopeful though that stronger legislation will come into effect for the issue to be taken more seriously by the police and legislators. “CD sales are going down because of piracy. It seems like some guys don’t even work, they just wait for us to drop an album so they can copy it. These are the things that make musicians quit music,” he says.

Booked and very busy for the festive season, Tate Buti will be performing across the country in the last weeks leading up to the new year. He’s due to perform at the Oranjemund Diamond Festival, which takes place between 28 November and 2 December. He’ll also have shows at Swakopmund, three in the north and the big one – the New Year’s Eve bash in Windhoek.

The musician revealed that by next year, he may be working on his last album. “This is the 15th album. I will maybe make one last one and then stop music to concentrate on other things,” he said without offering more on the subject.