Hello Fashionistas!

Get Inspired! Check out the latest trend and create your style. A number of designs take on a different appearance when viewed from the left or right, resulting in infinite ways to wear it. A range of bold blue shades and overpowering earthy tones are highlighted by bright accents of yellow and pink. What's hot at the moment? COLOUR BLOCKING!

It's wedding season!

Hello bride-to-be! Forever is not a word…rather a place where two lovers go when true love takes them there. Love can never go out of style. Check out our wedding posts if you are looking for asoebi inspiration.

THE OE EXPERIENCE

Did you know that you can access our website for the latest music and fashion news even while you are on the go? Log on www.olamildent.com from your mobile device. Tell us all about your OE Experience.

Celebrating Girl Power

CLAN, a premium ready to wear brand under the conglomerate that heralds Deola, House of Deola is spearheading a campaign for women tagged ‘SHE, The Power Woman Campaign.’ The campaign is an attempt to reveal what drives and inspires these powerful women to go above and beyond in their respective fields. It examines 11 women in the economy who have made a difference in their various industries.

WATCH FREE AFRICAN MOVIES

Olamild Ent. has partnered with IBAKA TV to bring you the hottest African movies. Beginning May 2013, you may watch and share free movies right here on Olamild Entertainment. We are delighted to partner with IBAKA TV as they have the largest top quality collection of African Movies.

Showing posts with label southafricanartist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label southafricanartist. Show all posts

BBC Africa Beats: Zulu pop princess Toya Delazy

South Africa's Toya Delazy trained as a pianist but the 23-year-old singer-songwriter is now making waves with her electro-pop anthems.

Her fresh energy, her colourful retro-chic style, and her soulful lyrics have made her a chart hit.
Toya Delazy - born Latoya Buthelezi - is a Zulu princess, granddaughter of Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and great-granddaughter of the revered Zulu musician Princess Magogo.

Her first album, Due Drop, was released in April 2012. Allow me to introduce you to Africa's Adele. 

SOUTH AFRICAN SOUL SENSATION ZAHARA SINGS 'LENGOMA'

Zahara is an Afrosoul singer from South Africa, she sings in her native tongue Xhosa and English. She plays an Acoustic guiter and writes her own music. She broke a record in SA when her Album Loliwe, a debute album went platnum in 2 weeks. She also won 8 SAMA awards, thus best new comer, best produced album, song of the year and more.

 This is the 7th track from her Album Loliwe, Enjoy!

MULTI-PLATINUM AWARD WINNING SOUTH AFRICAN SUPERSTAR LIRA PREPARES RELEASE OF DEBUT NORTH AMERICAN ALBUM RISE AGAIN

Sony Music Africa recording artist LIRA is following in the footsteps of the legendary Miriam Makeba & Letta Mbulu, releasing four platinum albums and a triple platinum Live in Concert DVD making her the highest selling musical artist in South Africa today - the Afro-Soul vocalist makes her entrance into America and Canada with her 14-track LP Rise Again featuring the hit single "Feel Good".

Elegant. Soulful. Radiant. Few words come close to describing the rich, silky sound of South Africa’s preeminent female vocalist of the 21st century, LIRA. Widely regarded as South Africa's top adult contemporary artist, LIRA has racked up an impressive series of achievements since launching her musical career nearly a decade ago, blazing a trail of accomplishments

that few artists in the history of the continent can lay claim to like releasing the first blu-ray, gracing the covers of an infinite number of fashion and lifestyle magazine and maintaining the largest Facebook following of any African born musician, with over 325,000 fans. Her flawless dossier boasts a multitude of accolades and nominations from South African Music Awards, MTV Africa Awards, Channel O Awards and MOBO Awards as well as Glamour Magazine South Africa's "Woman of the Year" - all of which have left an indelible impression on Africa-at-large.
LIRA is already a beloved superstar in her homeland, where her first five albums and her first live DVD have achieved platinum and multi-platinum status. Now, with the North American release of her new album Rise Again, the charismatic songbird is ready to introduce new ears to her elegantly yet earthy Afro-soul fusion. LIRA is excited by the prospect of conquering America. "Within South Africa, I almost feel like I've done everything, I need to spread my wings and fly. I'm thirsty for it. I'm enthusiastic about it. I almost feel like I needed to take this long to get ready, to grow as a musician and a performer. Now I feel like I have something to offer." In recent months, American media outlets have been taking notice, with Essence magazine naming LIRA one of "Five Unique A
rtists Set to Change Music" in its December 2011 issue.

Reared on a steady diet of American soul luminaries LIRA’s music is a glowing testament to her immense growth, eschewing poignancy and despair for lyrics replete with hope, love, and a
profound sense of interconnectedness. One listen to Rise Again will confirm why LIRA has been enthusiastically embraced by audiences around the world. The multi-lingual young artist's distinctive, effervescent song craft combines breezy melodicism, irresistible rhythmic drive and uplifting, personally-charged lyrics that allow such memorable tunes as "Feel Good," "Believer," "Valley of Darkness" and the album's title track—all of which have already been hits in South Africa—to fulfill her goal of making music that's "beautiful, uplifting, empowering and celebratory."

Rise Again—whose songs are drawn from LIRA's massively popular South African releases—
offers a persuasive testament to the human spirit's ability to transcend in the face of obstacles and seemingly insurmountable odds, and her confident and vibrant, inspired performances bring the songs' upbeat lyrical sentiments to life. While LIRA's music reflects her abiding love for such seminal influences as Miriam Makeba, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, and sits comfortably alongside the contemporary work of such performers as Sade, Maxwell and Lizz Wright, but LIRA's singular voice and deeply personal perspective make her a one-of-a-kind recording artist, as well as a top-flight concert attraction - selling out venues across Africa and Europe.

As part of a new cadre of African artists making waves stateside such as K’Naan, Nneka, and Ayo, LIRA sees herself as an ambassador of the new Africa: a land where, despite a recent history filled with obstacles, a future brimming with infinite possibilities lies. LIRA feels that this pressure to thrive outside of convention has bred a unique brand of ingenuity that will propel her and her fellow artists to the world stage.

“We're proud of being African, but there’s also a desire to be a part of the world. Part of the way we can raise the consciousness back home is when people see us rise on the world stage. We don’t do it for the individual, we do it for the entire group.”

LIRA has yet to take her eyes off one of the main objectives of her plan: to conquer the world with Afro-soul.



Exclusive shots of Lira on Olamild Ent.

AFRICAN YOUTH HOOK UP WITH HUGH MASEKELA ON MTV BASE MEETS…WITH MTN


The latest edition of MTV Base Meets…with MTN (MTV Base, Monday 22 August, 20:30 CAT) sees young African creatives in conversation with legendary musician Hugh Masekela.

Many albums, hits and live performances all over the world later, at 72, Masekela still has an extremely active music career and is in touch with the latest music trends (he’s worked with Black Coffee, Lira, Zwai Bala, Thandiswa Mazwai). He had plenty to say about politics, music and African heritage in his chat at Johannesburg’s scenic Moyo restaurant at Zoo Lake.

Bra Hugh, as he is affectionately known, picked up his first trumpet at 14 and was part of the legendary Sophiatown era in South Africa, before going into exile in America; living in West Africa; touring the world and releasing countless international hits including his Grammy
nominated 1968 US number 1 Grazin In The Grass. Hugh’s voice and music were instrumental in the struggle against Apartheid, and he returned from exile after Nelson Mandela’s 90s release from jail. In 2003 he released his best-selling autobiography Still Grazing: The Musical
Journey of Hugh Masekela, which covered his loves, including ex wife Miriam Makeba, his drug and alcohol addiction and being a musician.

Engaging with Masekela on MTV Base Meets…with MTN are Zimbabwean rapper Zubz, South African blogger, columnist and fashion store owner Milisuthando Bongela, Nigerian musician Adey Omotade, South African stand up comedian and student Mojak Lehoko and Congolese stylist and journalism student Patricia Muauka Muembo.

In each episode of MTV Base Meets…with MTN, African youth get to meet face to face with the influencers and leaders of Africa and ask them probing and provocative questions. It’s a no-holds-barred interview with politicians and prominent figures such as UK businessman Richard Branson, Nigerian media mogul Ben Murray Bruce, South African politician Julius Malema, Liberian President Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

MTV Base Meets Hugh Masekela with MTN will be shown on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Monday 22 August @ 20:30 CAT, Wednesday 24 August @ 22:15 CAT, Thursday 25 August @ 18:30, Sunday 28 August @ 15:00 and Monday 29 August @ 16:00 CAT.

Further influencers still to come in the MTV Base Meets…with MTN are Nigerian entrepreneur Aliko Dangote (29 August) and R&B diva Alicia Keys (5 September).

For more information on MTV Base Meets…with MTN, go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets@MTVbaseAfrica.

Prinston - What they like

The producer rapper straight out of Durban South Africa known by his fans as Prinston, is really an artist to be reckoned with. Having spent some time in the USA Florida and returning last year, he's taking his music to new heights with a constant grind from producing ninety percent of his album to writing, rapping and singing his own hooks. He first created some noise back home with his street single "Let's glay" which was a huge hit in the clubs in Durban. He's built up his own image and is constantly branding himself wherever he goes.

Having done gigs in Florida USA, Durban and Johannesburg, Splashyfen festivals 2003,2004,2005, Prinston has also opened up for Murder Inc’s top seller Ja Rule on the Durban leg of his tour in 2003 while being part of rap duo Juvenile 031. Prinston was also opening act for Jay Sean from Cash Money this year 2010 and has recently performed at the Annual Hip Hop Indaba 2010 in Cape Town. His hit single “CLOSER”, off his debut album “Bedroom dreams” is receiving massive airplay on many radio stations in South Africa including Metrofm, Yfm, Goodhope, ECR, Jozifm, Trufm, Kfm, Heart fm, Redcap and other local radio stations. He was recently interviewed on tv shows like Etv’s Showbiz Report, Seskhona on Sabc1 and also has done a performance on Sabc 1 show called LIVE. The music video shot on Florida for his single CLOSER has recently been added to playlist on Cape Town Television, Music lounge on Sabc1, Live on Sabc1, MTVbase, Channel O and Vusic on Vuzu tv. The album has just been released nationwide to all major music retailers through Glayboy Music Group and Electromode. The album is a smooth blend of hip hop mixed with rnb vocals. His 2nd single BAD BOY is also heating up the airwaves. He is endorsed by Ecko Unltd. Prinston really knows how to move a crowd so catch him at one of his shows to see for yourself.

Jimmy Dludlu Joins Line Up for Lagos Jazz Series


The organisers announced today, that South African Jazz star Jimmy Dludlu has signed on to perform at the first-ever Lagos jaz Series holding in Lagos this week. Dludlu, a multiple award-winning musician, who has performed across many continents and headlined dozens of Jazz festivals across the world, will join Nigerians Mike Aremu, Bez, Ayetoro and Chinaza, as well as visiting Somi, Morrie Louden, Karren Patterson and others to deliver what promises to be the Jazz concert of the year. Long before record companies became aware of the musical genius of Jimmy Dludlu, the media were already celebrating him as the hottest and most stylish talent amongst South Africa' new jazz generation.
Expressions being used to describe his extraordinary talent, his skills not only as a guitarist but as an insightful composer and arranger, underline the music he creates on stage with his outstanding style such as "jazz maestro", "guitar phenomenon" or "guitar wizard of jazz" are known by now as synonyms for the self-taught musician Jimmy Dludlu." Jimmy Dludlu's style includes wide-ranging influences, combining both traditional and modern elements of jazz drawn from among others Wes Montgomery, George Benson and Pat Metheny, to South African legends Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela, Themba Mokwena, and Allen Kwela. He is particularly drawn to the sounds of west and central Africa, as well as Latin America, but says jazz remains his first love.

His numerous original compositions fall within the tradition of what has been loosely termed Afro-Jazz. Sponsored by MTN, Petrolex, Lufthansa, Constant Capital, Bang and Olufsen, Mercedes Benz and others, the Lagos Jazz series will hold on Friday November 5, Saturday November 6, and Sunday November 7 at Sofitel Morehouse, Federal Palace Hotel and Muri Okunola Park respectively. Morrie Louden, a California native, lit up radio, hogged the jazz charts and attracted high praise from jazz legends with the release of his album Time Piece in spring 2007. Louden stunned listeners with his technical virtuosity, melodic improvisations, and composition skills, with tunes encompassing burning post-bop, sensitive ballads, and bossa novas.
The disc seemingly came from nowhere, with Louden leading an all-star team on one of the year’s best-reviewed jazz CDs. Mike Aremu has flown the Nigerian flag around the world for years now, a world-class saxophone player who draws on traditional Nigerian sounds to create a sound that represents both a creative passion and his own particular culture. He has established his own annual concert in Lagos called Sax Appeal, sold out venues from Lagos to London and brings a strong hometown fanbase to the Lagos Jazz Series. Ayetoro is an internationally acclaimed 12-piece Jazz bandled by one of Nigeria’s most talented composers andpianists Funsho Ogundipe.He began playing piano at age 17 and was a regular at FelaKuti’s Shrine, but formally launched into the Nigerianmusic scene in 1998 with his top 50 hit Something Dey, ablues-flavoured piano-driven tune from an album of thesame title. This tune became the template for a post FelaAfrobeat. After a successful career in law and business,Ogundipe moved to London beginning a musical journeythat has shot him onto live performances on many worldstages alongside other notables, while maintaining workingbands in Nigeria, Ghana & UK. Chinaza is of Nigerian heritage but based out of Germany. Before launching a solo career, she sang background for hot international acts like Joy Denalane, Hattler, Della Miles and Cunnie Williams.

In spring 2004 she started arranging songs and producing her first solo album together with pianist Sebastian Weiss (Rodney Jones, Till Brönner, Jane Monheit, Miguel Zenon, and Gitte Haenning Bez is a fresh breeze blowing through Nigerian soul music. Bez makes alternative soul, an understated and unusual hybrid of Soul, Jazz and R&B music that sets him well apart from the mainstream Afro hip-hop movement. His songs of love and heartbreak are modern acoustic gems that fit right beside the music of singers like Michael Buble, Amy Winehouse and John Mayer. A natural performer with a charismatic and playful stage presence, Bez has already opened for international sensation, Asa, performed alongside Nigeria’s premiere entertainers on the Rhythm Unplugged Concert series and been showcased as part of the exclusive Hennessy Artistry series. From big band shows with his swinging five man band to intimate acoustic showcases led by his masterful guitar playing, Bez is a performer to behold. Born in America, Rwandan-Ugandan singer Somi has been described as ‘glistening with the sheen of an almost-impossibly perfect cosmopolitanism’. Singing in English and three East African languages, Somi’s vocal delivery is subtle, yet the power it exerts is enormous... All these talents; the accomplished and the promising, the strange and the familiar, will gather in Lagos this week, to give Nigerians a musical experience they’ll not forget in a hurry.

It’ll not be a clash of talents, the organisers say. Instead, it’ll be a symphony of voices and instruments; a collaboration of some of the best Jazz talents alive, for the pure benefit of Jazz enthusiasts in this part of the world...

Nigerian/South African HipHop Collab - Fecko & Naycha


Multi-talented Nigerian rapper, Fecko Tha Emcee teams up with fast-rising South African rapper, Naycha (reppin' Bloemfontein) on this conscious killer rap tune named "Spoken Thoughts".

Both rappers held it down for African HipHop on this one.

Spoken Thoughts - Fecko ft. Naycha

Banky W, Teargas, Fally Ipupa & Daddy Owen rock MAMA


BANKY W, TEARGAS, FALLY IPUPA, & DADDY OWEN TO ROCK

THE MTV AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS WITH ZAIN IN LAGOS

Change is in the air as MTV and Zain lock down Banky W, Fally Ipupa, Teargas and Daddy Owen to deliver a series of spine-tingling live performances at the upcoming MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain (MAMA). The four artists are the first performers to be announced for the 2010 edition of the Awards, which take place on Saturday 11 December 2010 at the Eko EXPO Hall, Lagos, Nigeria.

Smooth R&B artist Banky W is the first Nigerian artist booked to perform at this year’s show, while South African outfit Teargas will be representing the best of South African Hip Hop on their MAMA debut. Kenya’s Daddy Owen will make his mark as the first ever Gospel singer to perform at the MAMA Awards, showcasing the unique Gospel vibe that’s successfully made the cross-over into the mainstream music consciousness. Congolese star Fally Ipupa makes his second appearance at MAMA, after his exciting collaboration with Mozambique’s Lizha James and Uganda’s Blu3 at MAMA 2009 in Kenya.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, “Banky W, Teargas, Fally Ipupa and Daddy Owen are all thrilling performers that epitomize the awesome spirit and passion of contemporary African musicians. Their involvement in this year’s awards is sure to guarantee that 2010 will be the most creatively inspiring and exciting MAMA event so far.”

Commented Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Africa, “Music in all its genres or origins strikes a chord with our continent as it provides a platform to express ourselves at each turn in our daily lives. The choice of the performers at the 2010 edition shows an excellent choice of musicians with a wide appeal in the continent."

The “crown prince” of African R&B, Banky W is the stage name of Olubankole Wellington, whose ultra-smooth voice, writing and production skills and uncanny showmanship and dance skills have catapulted him into the contemporary music spotlight. Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, Banky moved to Nigeria, West Africa at the tender age of 5, getting access for the first time to the traditional African music and rhythms that are deeply rooted in his sound and which form the basis of huge hits such as Lagos Party and Strong Ting. Using his everyday struggles as a source of inspiration for his music, Banky has gained an army of followers around the world thanks to his heartfelt lyrics, larger-than-life presence and mesmerising live show, and has won numerous awards including the Urban Independent Music Award for R&B/Soul, The Nigerian Entertainment Award, and the highly coveted songwriting award from the John Lennon Foundation.

Charismatic South African Hip Hop trio Teargas is made up of Ntokozo “K.O.” Mdluli and two brothers: Ezee “Ma-E” Hanabe and Bantu “Ntukza” Hanabe. Five years after their critically-acclaimed debut album “K’shubile K’bovu”, Teargas is riding high on the success of their third album “Dark Or Blue”, which was released at the end of 2009, spawning a host of hit singles including “Go Away”, “Party 101” and “Mhlobo Wami” and winning them Best Rap Album at the 2010 South African Music Awards.

Bringing his uplifting, Gospel-fusion sound to MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain, Daddy Owen is the self-appointed creator of “Kapungala“ - a jubilant mash-up of Gospel with Kenyan genres Kapuka and Lingala. Daddy Owen has already enjoyed an amazing 2010, receiving massive radio airplay for hit tracks Tobina and Kiriro, and sweeping the boards at the 2010 Groove Awards, East Africa’s annual celebration of Gospel music, where he took home gongs for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year (“System ya Kapungala”), Video of the Year (“Kiriro”), Central Song of the Year and Collabo of the Year (“Kiriro” Daddy Owen ft Allan Aaron & Kerah).

Fally Ipupa, nicknamed “Dicap La Merveille” (DiCaprio the marvellous) by his Congolese fans, is riding high as one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most successful music exports. A silky-smooth voice, skilful songwriting skills and a larger–than-life personality that have made Ipupa a hit in Africa and on the international music scene, reaching the hearts of many with his infectious blend of soukous, ndombolo, pop and R&B.

Teargas said, “We are truly honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to perform at one of Africa’s biggest ceremonies and to reach our fans in the rest of Africa, and the world. We’d be lying if we weren’t a little nervous about being told that more than one billion people might be watching! We’re interested to see which other great African artists we’ll be collaborating with.”

Known for its awe-inspiring staging, exhilarating music and gripping musical collaborations, the MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain was created in 2008 to recognise and reward Africa’s finest contemporary musicians. Past winners have included Amani (BEST FEMALE 2009), Nameless (BEST MALE/LISTENER’S CHOICE 2009), Samini (BEST PERFORMER 2009), P Square (BEST GROUP 2009), Zebra & Giraffe (BEST ALTERNATIVE ACT 2009), M.I. (BEST HIP HOP/BEST NEW ACT 2009), 2FACE (BEST R&B), D’BANJ (ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2008/2009), HHP (BEST VIDEO 2009) and LUCKY DUBE (MAMA LEGEND 2009).

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Following Bharti Airtel’s acquisitions of Zain’s operations across Africa, plans are underway to rebrand Zain to Airtel. This is a huge exercise that will positively impact ongoing partnerships such as MTV Africa Music awards with Zain. The expected change in brand will be communicated appropriately. As such, the Zain identity and brand will continue to be used for an interim period.

The MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain is open to all soloists or groups who have received airplay on MTV base or MTV during the qualifying period (30 June 2009 to 31 August 2010) including artists from: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Comores, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The nominations for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Awards with Zain will be revealed in November 2010.

For further information please contact:

MTV Networks Africa

Alison Reid Nike Fagbule

Communications Director BHM Ltd

Alison.reid@mtvne.com nike@bhmng.com

+33 385 596771 +234 808 247 7059

Zain Africa Zain Nigeria

Michael Okwiri Emeka Oparah

Head of Corporate Communications Head of Corporate Communications

Airtel Africa Zain Nigeria

Michael.Okwiri@africaairtel.com Emeka.oparah@ng.zain.com

+254 734 111379 +234 802 222 1120

About MTV Networks Africa

MTV Networks Africa is Africa’s leading provider of multi-platform music, youth and kids’ entertainment, reaching in excess of 90 million viewers via a combination of pay-TV, terrestrial and CATV distributors, including DStv, Daarsat, STV, DBN, TBC1, WBS and Clouds TV. MTV Networks Africa comprises four TV channels and two websites, representing MTV base, MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon across sub-Saharan Africa. MTV Networks Africa is part of MTVNI’s Emerging Markets Group, one of the fastest growing regions in the company’s portfolio of multi-platform businesses. The Emerging Markets Group manages 29 television channels, 30 websites, one video portal and four mobile TV channels encompassing the MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, VIVA and Comedy Central and COLORS brands in Central & Eastern Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and India. Additionally, the Emerging Markets portfolio includes MTVNHD, MTVNI’s first international high definition channel dedicated to music and kids which is operated by the Emerging Markets Group of behalf of MTVNI. MTVNI is owned by Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

About da L.E.S.

Leslie (aka Les) J. Mampe Jnr., also known as the Da L.E.S (i.e. Leslie Equals Success) to his many fans, was born in the US in Washington DC, lived in Texas, but the person who he has become was carved in the Motherland by way of South Africa. Da L.E.S is by no means a new entrant to the entertainment scene, in fact his first claim to fame came courtesy of his dancing abilities where he featured on shows like Sasco Sam and KTV.

Da L.E.S’s music exploits came into fruition when he hooked up with long time friend and Brother from another mother Bongani Fassie. Bongani and Da L.E.S’s first musical endeavor came in the form of collaboration with Shimane, titled Runnin Bizz in 2004. Fast forward to 2007 and Les became a household name due to his participation with Jozi. Les forms one third of ultra super hip hop crew Jozi, of the Muthaland Crunk fame. This release went on to be nominated for a SAMA award, 4 Metro FM awards and a Channel O spirit of Africa award, in categories such as best group and best Hip Hop. The group was also afforded the opportunity to perform at the most recent 46664 concert held in December 2007.

In doing so the album launched the careers of three individuals with distinct personas who contributed different musical elements, which were infused to create the Muthaland Crunk sound. Da L.E.S through Jozi has become recognized as one of the best emcee’s in the country. As Da L.E.S explains, “rapping is something that lives within me continuously, let me just hear a beat and I automatically want to just start rhyming.” With that in mind Da L.E.S solo offering came off the back of him being in studio, with his producer/ band mate and long time friend Bongani Fassie. “What was meant to be a lyrical exercise, ended up becoming a 13 track feature album called, Fresh to Def”, as Leslie emphasises. This project essentially opened up the opportunity for Da L.E.S to create set of songs that showcase his lyrical versatility and his eclectic sound, which best represents his own personality and influences that in turn define his rapping style. Fresh to Def is woven out of a lyrical introspection of Les’s desire to continually enhance and refine his ability as an emcee. As Les explains, “my personal style from rapping, to dressing has to be FRESH!” .

He is definitely a swagger boy as the ladies would attest. This album is not Les breaking away from Jozi but represents Les’s mission to deliver good music and explore his own capabilities as an artist to ensure growth. For Les this album is directed at the youth, as he feels he is a proud ambassador and role model of the youth. This is also seen by his venture into TV where he is a presenter on Craz-e’s hip hop show Shiz Niz. So ladies and gentleman a man, who needs no introduction, present you, Fresh to Def

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