It’s crazy to think that it’s almost been five years since Willem Botha released his hit album ‘My Stem Is Joune’. However, that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been at the forefront of the local entertainment industry. Over the past five years he has appeared on stage in productions such as ‘Tree Aan!’ and ‘Altyd In My Drome’, expanded his passion for photography, kick-started his presenting career on KykNet’s ChatNOU and still performs at many shows around the country. However, the singer has been back in the studio and has confirmed that he has signed to Universal Music South Africa and that his new album drops on the 17th of April 2017 – his 30th birthday.
“I never wanted to release an album just for the sake of putting out something,” Willem explains. “I just had other projects that kept me busy. I did two big theatre shows and two drama series for KykNet each year since 2012. If I can’t give something my full attention, I’m not doing it.”
Now, however, the time is right and Willem is excited to have joined forces with the biggest record label in the country – Universal Music. “I am so excited,” Willem says about the partnership. “I have known the team at Universal since the beginning of my career and now, 10 years later, I’ve joined the team.” Willem adds that joining the label will definitely help boost his career. “They have the same drive I have. That is very important,” he explains.
Willem is busy putting the final touches on the album as he prepares to release the album’s lead single in the next few weeks. However, unlike with his previous albums, Willem didn’t feel the pressure when it came to creating quality music. “I had five years to write these songs,” he says. “70% of the album I wrote myself. Over the past five years I have grown in both age and experience. This album is very personal and definitely put myself out there.”
The next few months are going to be incredibly busy for the singer as he gets ready to introduce his new record to the public. “I have three tours coming up in the next four months – one being in Namibia for three weeks,” he tells me. “In between that I am also doing a big CD launch around the time the album is released in April. We are also doing a media tour just to make sure this album reaches everyone. It’s very exciting.”
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