Chippa Legodimo
2 September 2008
She bears a flower tatoo on her left arm just below the shoulder, a sign of love and freedom and her music also tells the story of love and companionship.
Afro pop sensation Keneilwe Lekoko's music has not won her international acclaim yet, but like a good vintage wine, she will no doubt mellow with time. Kenny, as she calls herself in music circles, is only an upcoming musician but is already showing signs of greatness.
The release of her debut album last year has opened her gate to music stardom though she will need to work hard, especially on her voice, if she is to rapidly reach international success. Many local fans are still to hear what she has in her suitcase.
Matsale was released late last year and the musician says she is not in a hurry to release a follow-up. Live shows have come sparingly but she is still content and believes that her album has the potential to sell more copies before she can think of working on another project.
"It is still selling, I receive new orders and I feel that I should not disturb its steady progress by throwing something else onto the shelves. I will only release another album next year," Lekoko says.
Before working on her own material, Lekoko collaborated with disco's Linda Kgosiemang, as well as Thabile Mazolwana as a session artiste backing them during their live shows around the country. It was during that time that she was able to establish exactly where she fitted in the music industry.
"I have always been into disco but when I started singing I discovered that I was more comfortable with gospel and Afro-pop. I am not really a pantsula, and I found it difficult to dance to that music, I just like listening to it," she explains.
Long time friend Kgosiemang produced the music for her and even co-leads some of the songs. On keyboards was the evergreen, utility instrumentalist Tumelo Mafoko and as usual his versatility helped him produce an album with a real African feel.
Mafoko has no problem with any type of music or musical instrument. Those who are ardent followers of kwasa-kwasa would know how he used to shine with Africa Sounds. He was the mastermind behind Thibazo's hugely successful disco album a few years ago before the musician decided to switch to gospel.
He has been instrumental in making Frnco's live shows what they are with his unique playing of both drums and the piano.
With his experience and creative spirit it must have been easy to program the instruments for an Afro-pop album- switching base has always been his strong point. Apparently, Kenny had wanted to model her music around that of South Africa's platinum selling groups, Malaika and Mafikizolo, but either by accident or design Mafoko decided to give her a completely new sound
"I was inspired by Malaika and Mafikizolo but a lot of people have now told me that the sound I have followed is good and can help me get an identity and I now feel good about it," she said.
A teacher at Kwenasereto Junior Secondary School in Molepolole, Kenny believes she can juggle both her careers, saying "before I knew where I would be posted I had a problem but now that I have been posted to Molepolole I know how much time I will have at my disposal to push my music and what opportunities there are".
Working nearer to the big city cannot be a guarantee for success and for Kenny the major challenge has been getting accepted by both fans and fellow musicians.
"It is really difficult when you are starting, people look at you with suspicion even when you ask to be featured in their shows they are first skeptical and it is only after they realise how good you are that they start inviting you for more shows," she said.
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