A SUPERSTAR EXPLODES

Born Atlasaone Molemogi, ATI is one of the country’s most gifted singersongwriters, blessed with a creativity and energy few can match when it comes to live shows.

Sadly, away from the music, the rapper’s turbulent personal life has been slightly less successful.

While he takes conspiracy theories around the dark world to a whole new level, ATI has been fighting demons of his own. The ‘Khiring Khorong’ hit-maker is now a self-proclaimed recovering drug addict, having checked himself into rehab in late 2018.

This week, the rapper invited SHARON MATHALA to his suburban home in Gaborone to speak about the latest controversies surrounding his career.

The Voice team arrive to find the flamboyant artist, complete with exfoliating face mask, cleaning his room. Pleasantries are exchanged and the singer seems in high spirits. Before the interview begins, however, Deputy Sheriffs and a Lawyer turn up to slap ATI with a summons. He is in debt but is optimistic he will come back stronger.

In an emotional rollercoaster of an interview, ATI talks about sexual relations, drug abuse and the bitter fall out with his former manager that have led to recent rape allegations.

Thank you for inviting us into your home, how have you been?

I have been good. I have been blessed.

Why did you decide to speak out against your manager? Were you not afraid this could tarnish your brand?

Even more important is protecting the victims who are derailed into thinking that what they are told is A when it is actually B. So this is more about the victims, not me.

But all of these allegations happened under your nose? Did you not notice anything?

I am very observant but, with my manager, it was like there was an energy block. He controlled everything around me. Even with the people who I interacted with. He understood my weakness and he worked around that.