HE did not just venture into the music industry out of the blue, but he possesses an inherent talent that has turned him into a highly acclaimed brand as a great Afro Soul vocalist in Lesotho.
society
July 30, 2021
TEBOHO JAFETA
3 min read
The audacious gospel, afro-soul artiste, Tšitso Chalatsi aka Tshitso
Local afro-soul artiste, Tšitso Chalatsi
His music is already a big hit among the younger and older generations, depicting one of the finest artistes to come out of the Mountain Kingdom.
Tšitso Chalatsi aka “Tshitso” does not only sing to seek fame, but he is so passionate about his music that he studied Business Management at the National University of Lesotho (NUL)’s Institute of Extra Mural Studies (IEMS) to gain skills that would help him manage and promote his music accordingly.
Born on April 6, 1990, Tšitso Chalatsi is the first born in a family of three boys to ’Matšitso and the late Teboho Chalatsi of Ha Matala, Maseru.
He did his primary education at Tšepo Christian School before he proceeded to Sefika High School where he obtained his Junior Certificate (JC) in 2008 and his Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) in 2010. He graduated with a Diploma in Business Management from NUL in 2016.
Tšitso started singing at his father’s church choir at an early age.
“My late father was a pastor and after I graduated from his choir, I joined a community choir. That was when I realised that I had talent in music,” he recalls.
He focused fulltime on his music in 2013 when he switched to both afro soul and afro gospel, although he was unable to record his music.
Since he debuted in the industry over a decade ago, Tšitso has released several albums including his 2016 album, “Jesu Ke Pheko”.
He thereafter released two afro soul singles, “Ke Cha Mpa Le Seatla” in 2019 and “Lerato La Ka” in 2020.
“Even though I could not record my music in 2013 as earlier anticipated, I pushed hard and recorded my maiden gospel album in 2016, which was well welcomed by members of the public,” he says.
His debut afro-soul single released in 2019 received a great support and appreciation from Basotho.
He is currently working on a single, titled “Botle Ba Hao” which will be out on the shelves on August 1.
In his music journey, he collaborated with and featured the likes of Budhaza Mapefane, Selimo Thabane, Juvy oa Lepempara, Thabo Mlangeni as well as Ringo, among others.
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Tšitso targets the international market and is currently taking it step by step towards achieving that goal.
In the two genres that he is pushing, he contends that afro-soul is receiving the most appreciation.
“Support is good in afro-soul but it is not 100 percent here in Lesotho because Basotho prefer international artistes to their own,” he laments.
He says home-brewed artistes are not being well promoted by their own media as most local radio stations do not have music compilers.
“In Lesotho, presenters just play music of their choice. They are not mandated to play local music. They do not copy good things from foreign radio stations including Leseli FM, which plays strictly 90percent South African music,” he says.
His worst moment as a performing artiste was in June 2013, when he was supposed to perform at a concert but his band disappeared on him.
“I had to secure the services of another band on the eleventh hour and was forced to change my playlist because we did not get a chance to rehearse,” he recalls.
He regards performing on stage as some of his best moments ever. He would like to work with the likes of Leomile Motsetsela on some of his future projects.
He is married to ’Mamakhanya Chalatsi and the couple is blessed with a girl. Apart from singing, Tšitso enjoys watching soccer.
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