Despite his new status as a born again Christian, Vee Mampeezy’s video package of his new album Supernatural Volume 1 shows that one of the most celebrated local entertainer’s style has not changed that much.
What has changed are the lyrics only, but his usual acrobatics and fast flowing well choreographed kwaito-kwasa dancing style that appeals to the youthful can still be seen in his new videos.
A musical journey which started in 2003 with the release of his debut album Lamalanga which was based on the kwaito genre is now taking another dimension. In his new videos, the pint sized entertainer shows maturity and devotion to Christianity.
His music used to be associated with the township lifestyle of boozing up, sex and partying. And at one point, Vee was the self proclaimed King of the notorious Manyora or Mapantsula. This is a group of youth who are associated with hooliganism. The Manyora followed all Vee’s videos and danced all his latest dance moves. As Vee’s first musical genre kwaito, which catapulted him to fame was imported from neighbouring South Africa, so was the sub culture of Bonyora which also made him the brand he is today.
Modern day Manyora could be challenged to change. But they will not lose their culture as King Vee still has it, now in a positive way.
Though he is a “man of God”, Vee keeps the notion of “you can take the boy from the township but you cannot take the township from the boy.” He still shows his usual vigour, ecstasy and energy in his albums.
Being a changed man now, Vee has a message to preach and it is about the gospel of God. Though he dances his butt out in all his videos, Vee mentions his God in all the songs, no matter how vibey and party mood inducting the videos look.
Watching the new video package one is greeted by the first video of a song called Baba where Vee features Dr Tawanda. Vee in this video is at his usual featuring beautiful ladies dancing to the rhythm of the kwaito-kwasa beat of Baba.
The ladies are well dressed in black and they go well with the rhythm of the song with Vee leading the dance styles.
The video shows Vee being followed with a bike by his killer. The killer dressed well in black and leather, like your usual Hollywood antagonists, is accompanied by an entourage of sexy ladies on a land cruiser showing signs of a man in a mission to kill. However Vee is shown fleeing to a bushy area. In his escape Dr Tawanda leads him in a prayer looking like that of deliverance. Vee is shown to have lost his killer and this comes with a theme of “if God is with you, nobody can go against you.”
The video is well organised and well shot. Also in the video Vee does not lose his style of hyping up action scenes and glamouring the setting. Scooby Doo Films also deserve praise as the pictures are well presented and clear enough to the audience.
In the video of the song Re a di busa, Vee does not lose his touch of urban glamour. He is well dressed with his feature Lezibo. They are accompanied by equally well dressed two young ladies. In Re a di busa video Vee and Lezibo are in their designer suits while the ladies are rocking evening dresses.
The background of Re a di busa video shows a touch of elegance and glamour with bright colours of a well decorated cocktail lounge bar. This depicts a hyped up urban fiesta, something to expect from the Vee brand.
The favourite Eita, which appears to be stealing the popularity of Botswana’s national anthem, has a video which will obviously emerge victorious in BOMU awards. It has been aired frequently in the local broadcaster BTV and shows the brilliance behind creativity. It has a mixture of traditional music and urban lifestyle.
