Like most kids, he first knew the world as one place full of freedom and space and being all around adventures. From his childhood well into his teens, music was always his first love. He felt the rhythm in it. He got hypnotized by it, and went along with the same passion until he came of age. He started off as a rapper, formed and led a Hip Hop group called Mad Killers Crew. In retrospect, growing up Jan was a master of many trades. He was a dancer, a soccer player, as well as a coach of a local soccer team known as Senegal. As an all-rounder himself, he collected few awards in dancing and also in sport as a coach and a player respectively.
Jan went on to start his own recording label called Young Bearers Production Company in 2018. Young Bearers Production Company works with artists to elevate their music to high standards. They seek to find and sign up and coming artists/bands based in South African region. By finding underground talents, they improve their marketing and appeal to broader music audience.
They do it all here, record, mix, and mastering whatever your music needs, they can provide the solution. Apart from being artist manager and CEO of Young Bearers, Jan is also an investor and a brand ambassador. His track record also saw him managing various artists like Karabo Sema, Ngwana Ledwaba, DJ Tiano and just to name a few. Many of those artists performed in places like Thobela FM Gospel Festival, Mapungubwe Arts Festival, Ingoma Awards, Limpopo Music Awards, Marula Festival, Morning Live Show and the list is endless.
There is an old Indian saying “ never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”. The path towards becoming manager can be long, frustrating, and hard, but the career can be incredibly satisfying. However, due to high competition, it is hard to get gigs, find aspirations as many artists find it hard to find their aspirations too. “Sometimes, artists need aspirations to make perfect art. Keeping up with the talent is a norm. Each challenge every other artist faces, takes effort because even a single improvement counts in more ways than one” Mothapo said.
After dedicating 15 years in the music industry, Jan has learned that the industry itself needs one to develop a broad skill set, thinking on the spot, creativity, communication, collaboration and becoming innovative at all times. In his own words he says “life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself”. With all the right personality traits, he is also a role model influenced by another. Steve Harvey and Drake are two of his biggest inspirations. “ They are my role models, because Steve helps under resourced communities to receive the tools for success. With Drake, he always encourages his young audience in all his concerts to make good choices in their lives” he remarked.
Going forward, Jan promises nothing but massive artists and hits from Young Bearers. The idea is to build strong artists from communities who are consistent, professional and have clear content.