Sarona Motlhagodi (17 May 1993 – 5 March 2021), known professionally as Sasa Klaas, was a Botswana singer, rapper, songwriter and television presenter. She was born on 17 May 1993[1][2] in Botswana and raised by her single mother Anna Mokgethi, a Motswana politician.[3] She was an all-round musician and considered Botswana's "First Lady of Hip-Hop".[4] She made her debut with her hit single Mma Mongwato. She was in a relationship with Bakang Baxon Moitoi.[5]
Sarona ‘Sasa Klaas’ Motlhagodi | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sarona Motlhagodi |
| Born | 17 May 1993 |
| Origin | Gaborone, Botswana |
| Died | 5 March 2021 (aged 27) Xumabee Game Ranch, Botswana |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2010–2021 |
Career
editKlaas's interest in performing and music started early when she won a dance competition at Woolworths at age 4. She went on to study for a Degree in Film and Television Production at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, but left to follow her musical ambitions.[6]
Sasa Klaas' career took off with A Ke Mo Khande, a collaboration with artist Thato Matlhabaphiri (Scar).[7] Soon after in 2011 she became a presenter of The Foundation: Next Level from 2011 to 2012 on e.tv Botswana.[8] Her first solo single, HADSAN, was released.[9][10] The song title, an acronym for “Hustle All Day, Stunt All Night,” is an ode to female rappers being just as capable as male rappers.[4] Klaas would later release a clothing label under the name HADSAN.[7]
In 2018, Klaas began co-hosting "Highly Inappropriate With Phat Joe", a television show on DStv's Moja Love station in South Africa.[11][12] In 2020 at the start of the pandemic, Klaas returned to Botswana from where she was living in South Africa.[7]
Described as "one of Botswana's celebrated talents",[11] Klaas would rap both in English and in Setswana. Critics have described her lyrics and persona as feminist.[13] She actively campaigned against gender based violence in Botswana, appearing on billboards to support female empowerment.[6] Prior to her death, she had been the victim of cyberbullying.[14]
Death and legacy
editKlaas died on 5 March 2021 around 7pm at age of 27 from injuries suffered in a R44 helicopter crash in Xumabee Game Ranch (near Sojwe).[15][16] After the accident, Klaas was left at the scene of the accident as the helicopter pilot went to find help. After waiting hours for help, she died enroute to a hospital in the back of a truck in the Kgalagadi Desert.[17]
Discography
editSingles
edit- Mma Mongwato
- H.A.D.S.A.N
- Playing with Myself
- You
- The Best Things
- Vapors
- Bafana ba style
- Mosoroto
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Sasa Klaas and Baxon Alleged Romance Already Over?". Botswana Youth Magazine. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ "10 Things You Did Not Know About Sasa Klaas". Botswana Youth Magazine. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ Newstral.com (7 June 2019). "thevoicebw.com: "Sasa's slip of the tongue"". Newstral. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ a b Admin (10 March 2021). "Sasa Klaas, the First Lady of Hip-Hop, rests". Botswana Gazette. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ Marumo, Victoria (10 July 2020). "Sasa Klaas and Baxon Alleged Romance Already Over?". Botswana Youth Magazine. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b https://dailynews.gov.bw/news-detail/61364
- ^ a b c admin (27 April 2021). "Remembering Sasa Klass". Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ NCUBE, DUMISANI (24 March 2016). "Mmegi Online :: Beating the odds with curves". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ NCUBE, DUMISANI (5 November 2015). "Mmegi Online :: Sasa Klaas, Kinetic 9 in the studio". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ NCUBE, DUMISANI (16 July 2015). "Mmegi Online :: Sasa Klaas matures musically". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Botswana mourns rapper Sasa Klaas". 8 March 2021.
- ^ Ncube, Dumisani (6 February 2018). "Sasa Klaas to co-host a show with Phat Joe on a DSTV". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ "Sasa Klaas- The Queen of Rap". The Hip Hop African. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/botswana/mmegi/20210312/281900185961789. Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via PressReader.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "The World Mourns Sasa Klaas". ZAlebs. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ Carter, Logan (7 March 2021). "Botswana Government In Sasa Klaas Cause Of Death Cover Up". South Africa Rich And Famous. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ Seitshiro, Kabelo (8 March 2022). "Sasa Klaas died alone, among total strangers | Sunday Standard". Retrieved 19 September 2024.