Astley Gops to ascend the throne
Chippa Legodimo | Tuesday June 16, 2015 18:00
Well, there is a lot that his fans do not know about this musician.
Ironically, very few people know his real name.
The slender musician was born Gopadileng Shobuwa Gopadileng and when he ventured into music he chose the name Astley Gops as his trading style.
Most of his followers will probably be surprised to learn that the Moshayana Ga Ona Tsebe hitmaker is also royalty and will soon ascend the throne as headman of arbitration for the Baretele sub-tribe of Bakwena at Goo-Moiphisi ward in Letlhakeng.
The popular musician told Showbiz, “I was supposed to have started this month, but I felt I needed time to sort things out in my music career.
I asked my uncle to hold the fort for me”.
However, the musician was quick to point out that he was not quitting music although he noted serving his people would be his first priority.
“Music is the talent that God gave me and it is my culture, but being a headman is just a responsibility bestowed upon me because I was born of the royal bloodline.
I cannot quit music, if I do that then a part of me would be gone,” he said.
Astley Gops said he would continue releasing albums although he admitted that his new responsibility would make him scarce at live shows.
“My live appearances will be limited, but festivals are normally held on weekends and I believe I will still be able to do them.
Mostly I do cooperate shows, which are less hectic than the usual club appearances,” he said.
The musician is currently working on a new album, which he hopes to release soon.
He has already released a single called Motheo, which will also be the title track.
“I plan to go on a national tour to properly inform my fans of my new cultural responsibility, which obviously will affect the way I have been interacting with them,” he said.