Keeping It Light With Briann BC
Artwork by Alex Ramos
Twenty year old rapper Briann BC is the result of two distinct identities. Brian Mamelodi is the regular "guy who writes his name at the beginning of every test," while BC, from a childhood nickname, is "the rapper that everyone likes." While it might be tempting to write him off as a persona, and just another guy named Brian, they're equal parts of a whole. "They're both me," Mamelodi says, previewing just how complex identities can be. Over Zoom, I spoke to the artist about identity, youth and overcoming obstacles.
Before anything else, Mamelodi is Motswana. He never shies away from his country of origin. However, he has found himself plagued by the thought of "not being Motswana enough." Though he was born and raised in the capital of Botswana, Gaborone, he attended high school in neighboring Zimbabwe. "There would always be new slang, and when I would talk to my Botswana friends, I wouldn't understand what they were saying,” the rapper says. “Sometimes my Setswana would get bad at times if I didn't speak it for too long."
Regardless, Mamelodi wears the title of a Motswana rapper because he is immensely proud of his country. "Growing up, there was definitely a big disconnect between myself and the average Motswana,” he says. “But now I think it's lessened." Reintegrating himself with the society contributes to him reaffirming his identity. "I'm always going to do something that involves Botswana to feel like I'm getting my nationality back," he added. Naturally, the rapper often collaborates with other artists from Botswana and is part of a music collective known as IZM.
Relatability is distinct in Briann BC's discography. He makes music about growing up, setting goals, heartbreaks and losses — many issues that people would brush off as trivial, but are given respect in Mamelodi's music. There's something reassuring about so-called trivialities of youth being put in the limelight. "My music isn't as deep as Andre 3000 or Kendrick Lamar's," admits Mamelodi. "But I really do think there's a deeper meaning in all my songs for somebody out there."
"Keep in mind / I ain't even in my prime," Mamelodi states in "iobject,” a cut off his debut EP Briann You're my HERO Vol.1. The track’s focus is on tenacity and breaking down barriers. Mamelodi is an artist who is still growing, and he acknowledges that. The following track, "NEED2KNW," finds the rapper questioning and lamenting a romantic relationship in decline.
The artist describes it as music for "people who are still discovering themselves." He's speaking to girls who "did him dirty," his parents, friends, past and present self. Whether it's the people around you, a failed relationship, or the country you live in, it all informs who you are or who you want to be. To Mamelodi, all of it is worth making music about. He seeks to establish a connection and understanding. That’s why the rapper enjoys doing gigs, in front of an audience. "I enjoy live performances way more than anything else. You can't fake that connection," he says.
Mamelodi started by writing and making beats alone in his room. But it wasn’t until he let himself be supported by a small, tight-knit group of friends and the IZM collective. "My mixtape didn't even sound like that until I sent it to them, and then I had to make certain changes," he said. While people can attribute most of the rapper's work to his raw talent, he enthusiastically acknowledges the people behind him play in refining his craft.
Despite this, the artist still faces a significant challenge: the unforgiving music landscape of Botswana. The artists that get the most listeners are the Western artists, closely followed by artists from Nigeria and South Africa. The odds are against a young Motswana artist trying to reach a similar level of acclaim as their Nigerian counterpart. "The end goal for me is to change how the music industry is viewed in my country," Mamelodi says. By performing at local events like Perfect Noise, Briann BC can showcase his music while building connections with like-minded individuals who are also invested in reinvigorating the Motswana musical space with young talent.
"As an artist, you fall in love with anything you make," Mamelodi said, and that passion is evident in his music. Briann BC shines on stage full of charm, wit and talent. He brings a refreshing outlook on the life of teens in Southern Africa and thinks it's only fair for the rest of the world to see it. ♦
You can keep up with Briann BC on Instagram, Spotify, YouTube and anywhere else you stream your music.