DELMAS – 2019 is the year when the stars aligned for music band #Chelete from releasing their first hit single which topped the charts in three months from its release.
The quartet tells us how it all came together for them from knocking on the doors of music production houses, media houses, and music promoters.
The #Chelete music band members, Senzo ‘DeepSen’ Sibiya, Xolani ‘Lannie’ Maimane, Thokozani ‘Kingtalkzin’ Madonsela and Philip ‘Towwer’ Jele all hail in Delmas in Mpumalanga. The four maestros say their paths intertwined due to their common love and passion for music. “We did not initially start as a band. We were all on our own although I’ve always known Thokozani,” said DeepSen. “So we would play music on stage together until people encouraged us to form a band,” he added.
“We managed to put the song #chelete together and the time we did not even have a band name. Thanks to the fans who suggested we use #Chelete as our band name,” Towwer said with excitement. Explaining the message behind #chelete which is a Sesotho term for money, they say, “It is about what money can do for you and the fact that money makes the world go round.”
The quartet went on to release an EP called Cheers released mid last year which consists of seven songs such as Imali, Mamlambo and others. The EP is available on digital music platforms such as Spotify, Deezerand and many others and it is also making waves on music channels such as Channel O and MTV Base. Although their first hit song #Chelete went viral in a short space of time from release, the four say their journey has been challenging. “We had to travel to Jo’burg almost every day to get our music known and to meet music promoters or to book interviews with popular production shows,” they said.
The four have managed to score interviews with the famous DJ S’bu on Massiv Metro and other radio stations. However, the quartet do not claim they had instant success as they say hard work, dedication and focus breeds success. Asking what makes their music different, the four say their music is not limited to one particular genre because theirs is a combination of various elements from Amapiano, house, afro-house, hip-hop, gospel and others.
Message to supporters: “Go out there to get what you want. Do not sit and expect things to happen. Knock on those doors until the right one opens. We are in the era of social media, use that to your advantage by posting whatever you do until it is recognised.”
On all social media platforms, the pages of the band are under the name #Chelete. Going into the future the band says the fans should be on the lookout for a new single Kheth’omthandayo and collaborations with other artists. You can catch the band on stage at the following gigs: Charity Jazz Festival on 28 March in Delmas Simon Gondwe Sports Centre, 7 April at Kings and Queens Jays Park, on 18 April “Piano Fest” in Middleburg and 25 April is the EP Launch with DJ Moscow in Witbank.
