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July 3, 2020

TEBOHO JAFETA

3 min read

I want to go global Tshitso

I want to go global Tshitso

local Afro-pop star Tšitso 'Tshitso' Chalatsi

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MASERU – Afro-pop and afro-jazz star, Tšitso Chalatsi, affectionately known as Tshitso says he is targeting the international market and is currently taking it step by step towards achieving that goal.

His music is already a big hit among young and older generations, depicting one of the fine talents to come out of the mountain Kingdom. Tshitso started singing at a tender age when he sang for the church choir at his father’s church.

“My father was a pastor, so I started singing gospel for the church choir and before later joining a community choir. That’s when I realised that singing is my talent,” he told Metro in an interview. He decided to focus on music in 2013 when he began singing both afro pop and gospel, but could not record his music then.

“Even though I could not record my music in 2013, I pushed hard and recorded my first gospel album in 2016 which received much appreciation from the public,” he says. Tshitso released his first afro-pop single in 2019 titled Ke cha mpa le seatla, which received great support and appreciation from Basotho. “In that single, I collaborated with the likes of Juvy,” he says, adding that he has since joined forces with several other artistes.

He released an afro-pop single titled Lerato la ka in April during the national lockdown, but he says the album has not received much support due to Covid-19 outbreak as he has not been able to get on the road to promote it.

“So far, I have worked with Juvy and am currently working with Selimo Thabane on another project. I would also like to work with the legendary Tšepo Tšola and vocalist Leomile Motsetsela in my music career,” he says. In the two genres that he is pushing, afro-pop and afro-jazz, he says the former is receiving more appreciation than the latter.

“Support is good in afro-pop but it’s not 100 percent here in Lesotho because Basotho appreciate international stars more than local artistes,” Tshitso laments. He says local artistes are not being highly promoted by the local broadcasters because local radio stations do not have music compilers.

“In Lesotho, presenters just play the music of their choice. They are not mandated to play local music. They do not copy good things from international radio stations such as Leseli FM, which plays strictly 90 percent South African music,” he says. “My target is to be an international vocalist. I want to be an icon, so I am already working on that, I am taking baby steps because Rome was not build in one day. I set my short term goals which will assist me to achieve that long term goal,” he says.

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Tshitso says his career has been badly affected by the Coronavirus pandemic as music shows and events have currently been halted. “I earn a living through hosting music shows and doing live performances with my band,” he says.

Like many local artistes Tshitso believes that the longer it takes for the restrictions and public health regulations related to the fight against the spread of Covid-19, there is a very thin line for development in Lesotho unless all work together to outshine the obstacles. But, as put in his words, the fight against Corona virus cannot just simply be ignored as it is a justified war.

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