If you’ve been following the Women in African Hip-hop series, you’ll notice that Botswana has been a frequent stop for us, and for good reason. The country is home to some incredible talent, and we’ve uncovered some real hidden gems, much like we did in Eswatini. This time, as we wrap up our journey in Botswana, we’re sitting down with one of the illest MCs in the game. She’s been holding it down for years and continues to make waves in the hip-hop space. Her journey began like many young artists, scribbling thoughts in a diary that led to poetry as a form of self-expression and eventually discovering hip-hop, where everything just clicked.
Let’s dive into this conversation and close out our Botswana chapter with a true hip-hop force.
For those who are not familiar with you, do you mind sharing a bit about your childhood? Who is Taurin when she’s not on camera or making music?
I was born in Lesotho (which is where my dad comes from) and raised in Botswana (my mom’s roots). I grew up in a household of women led by my grandmother and my mother. These incredible women taught me the art of being a resilient female who overcomes, even when the odds are stacked against them. They achieved this through a combination of teamwork, prayer and fearlessness. I have two older sisters who also helped raise me with the soundtrack of their favourite hip-hop artists. I was the quiet, soft-spoken and shy one in the family. In my early childhood, I took a lot of verbal punches from bullies at school and in the community I lived in. If it wasn’t about my struggles learning Setswana, it was about my weight. Everything changed when I started paying attention to the hip-hop my sisters played. Incredible artists like Tupac, Biggie, Heltah Skeltah and Lauryn Hill all had their unique blends of confidence, which was downright contagious. So I caught it. And let’s just say, soon enough, my bullies didn’t stand a chance after that because hip-hop taught me how to speak up for myself.
Today, I’m a mom to a beautiful baby girl (aka, my tiny boss). My niece and nephew call me Aunty, and when I’m not in the booth dropping bars, you’ll find me in the gym lifting weights and building the kind of strength that would make my old bullies reconsider their choices. Business-wise, I’m running a new family business venture called Tsela Hospitality and Tourism Consultants. I drop bars on the mic and plan to drop big business moves this year!
Who influenced and inspired you to take the music journey?
Above everyone else, Tupac hit differently for me. His unapologetic rawness, brilliant storytelling and fearless expression made me think, “If he can do it, why can’t I?”. His music wasn’t just something to vibe to; it was a blueprint on how to express myself and reflect the world around me. So, I put in the work, sharpened my pen game and, let’s just say, from one poet to another, I think Tupac would be proud.
How did your transition from poetry to rap influence your writing style and approach to music?
Honestly, I stumbled into poetry by accident. My diary was my go-to for venting, but at some point, writing the same old “Dear Diary” entries got boring. So, I challenged myself and started flipping my thoughts into poems just to spice things up – finding new ways to say what I needed to say but playing with the words so they paint a memorable picture. When hip-hop started calling for my deep attention, I loved how a lot of it felt like poetry on a beat, and it was like the universe saying, “Alright, girlie, time to level up!”. Poetry pushed me to read and expand my vocabulary because, let’s be real, using the same words over and over gets stale, so you have to explore the world of words… the synonyms, verbs and adjectives of it all! By the time I got into rap, writing felt like second nature. I can take one bar and flip it five different ways while keeping the same meaning. That’s why my verses are packed with intricate rhyme schemes and dope, catchy wordplay.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt over the past 14 years as a rapper?
Don’t waste time chasing perfection because it’s a trap to keep you running circles in one spot! I used to sit around waiting until I looked “just right” or had the “perfect” song to drop. Meanwhile, time was flying, and I was stuck in my own head, believing that I couldn’t meet society’s standards. What I didn’t realise was that perfection is a myth, and the longer you wait, the more opportunities you let slip away. So, I believe in the authenticity of doing your best, being patient with God’s timing and believing you deserve it. Nowadays, I dive in. Whether I’m nervous or second-guessing a verse for the hundredth time, I just do it. What I’ve come to learn is that every time I take that leap, something magical happens.
How has the Botswana hip-hop landscape evolved since you started in 2010, and where do you see it heading?
Back in the 2010s, hip-hop in Botswana was powerful, with pioneers like Apollo D, SCAR, Orakle, Fosta Juliano and Zeus. I think there was a time when Botswana was primarily a hip-hop, house, kwasa-kwasa and kwaito nation. Today, there’s a beautiful assortment that includes cultural sounds, amapiano, neo-soul and even R&B. The one thing that stood out for me in my early days was how there weren’t many women visible and audible in the game. That only fuelled my drive. I relentlessly knew I had to be part of this dynamic movement that helped me find my voice. Today, I’m proud to see a wave of fierce “femcees” rising in the BW rap scene and trust me, this is just the beginning. In the near future, I see women dominating the game. I think Botswana’s ready for that. It’s about time. The gents have built a clear path, and we are ready to grace it. No apologies or limits, just a pure, unstoppable force.
Being the last artist featured in Women in African Hip-hop: Botswana edition, what does this moment mean to you?
It’s very exciting, encouraging and truly humbling to be recognised by the powerhouse that is HYPE magazine. It reminds me that I’m on the right path and my deep passion for hip-hop is still pushing me toward heights I didn’t know I was ready to reach yet. On being the last artist, I’m beyond chuffed to know that the best was saved for the grand finale.
Your music is known for its strong storytelling. What are some of the most personal or impactful stories you’ve told through your music?
Looking at all the songs I’ve written, ‘Finally’ and ‘The Code’ stand out as my favourites. They really tell you the story of my journey from the very beginning into the evolution that led me to becoming Taurin. They dive into the struggles I faced with confidence and depression at a young age and how hip-hop became my lifeline. They reflect the drive that keeps me pushing forward, riding this wave in the rap game all the way to the end. They’re not just songs with a catchy hook and amazing beats that move your body; they’re pieces of my heart and my story. My autobiography in song.
Which artists, poets, or life experiences have shaped your sound and lyrical approach?
Tupac taught me how to boldly share my perspective on real life – to never hold back or sugarcoat my words. Nicki Minaj has taught me to embrace sensuality without dimming my intelligence or minimising my power to meet the expectations of formality. HHP opened up my heart to the beauty of rapping in Setswana. All of my favourites have taught me to embrace versatility, refusing to be limited by one style or sound but crafting out a distinct vibe, which will always have your fans and music lovers saying, “Wait, that feels like or sounds like Taurin.” Lauryn Hill taught me that it’s okay to blend in a little melody that flows effortlessly and soothes the listener’s soul.
The challenges I faced growing up shaped my approach to creating high-vibrational music designed to uplift and inspire. We all have scars and stories. We’ve all had things to overcome, and we all learn to find our voice. So, it’s important for me to remind each listener of the incredible power that lies within them. It may not always be obvious at first, but there are bars in there that are carefully crafted to awaken strength and confidence from within. I’d like my listener to enjoy the music but not forget to listen to the message. So that it strengthens you for the road ahead, whether you’re hyping yourself up for leg day at the gym, your big relocation to a new place, your finals at high school or university, or that high-stakes presentation for a major client… whatever transformation you’re going through, I like to think I have a song for your soundtrack.
You’ve performed at Play Fest, Sneaker Expo and Perfect Noise. Which performance stands out as the most defining moment of your career?
I’d say my Perfect Noise performance was a huge turning point for me. It came at a time when I had been away from the game for a while – evolving into motherhood, and it was incredibly humbling to see that people were still so excited to see me back on the stage. I give Tii Maaney and the whole Perfect Noise team my eternal gratitude for the opportunity. I think it’s dope when big brands in our game, like Veezo View and Ban-T, also acknowledge our moves because it says, “O tla sentle!” That’s important when you’re building. It’s good to hear from those ahead of you that you’re on the right path. I also got to connect with some amazing new artists and gained so many new queens and kings who appreciate not just me but the work I put into my craft. It was a moment that reminded me why I started, why I do this and why I have to keep going.
What do you want your legacy in African hip-hop to be when people look back at your career?
I want to be remembered as a beacon of fearlessness. A pioneer amidst prolific African women’s voices on global hip-hop stages. A magician of lyrical innovation. I aspire to break barriers, craft unforgettable narratives that resonate with the global citizen and tell the new African story. A woman driven to challenge norms while elevating the rare voice. Ultimately, by the time my Creator calls me home, I hope to be remembered for the transformative impact I will have made, paving the way for future artists to embrace their authenticity and rise with confidence.
The post Women In African Hip-Hop – Taurin appeared first on HYPE Magazine.
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