By Matṧeliso Phulane
Tṧimoloho Pearl Lekaota, better known as Tsimo, has released a beautiful fusion of Afro pop and gospel song called ‘Umoya’, featuring enigmatic rapper, Kommanda Obbs. The song was already streaming in various social media platforms from April 23.
In an interview with the Reporter, Tsimo indicated that her song is an inspiration of faith. It is actually a reminder to everyone going through a rough patch that, God has not forsaken them.
“Umoya was aspired by my faith in God, I believe that we are all going through hard times in one way or another. As a result, I wanted to remind myself and everyone listening to that song that, God is steady and he is always with us,” she expressed.
She further said, the song has brought two artists together to create a beautiful body of work that is heartfelt and will speak to the listeners.
The reason for featuring Kommanda Obbs on her song is that, she had always wanted to work with him since he has come so far with his music career.
“I love and respect his journey as well as his music, ‘Umoya’ actually connects us over our journey and relationship with God over the past two years. As a result, doing this song with him just made sense
When I received his verse after our conversation, I knew he was the perfect person for the song,” she commented.
The 30-year old songstress was born in Morija and grew up in Maseru West until the age of six when her family finally moved to South Africa. She went to the University of Free State where she graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology.
Tsimo further told this publication that her love for music began at the age of 10 when she joined the church choir as well as the school choir at varsity. Her career went up a gear when she began writing music for her local peers and local acts around South Africa.
“I also worked a lot as a backing vocalist, in theatre, as a song writer, poet and a composer for plays that toured the country. Performing as a solo act came much later, in my varsity years. Curating my own shows and putting myself out there for the people to know me,” she added.
Tsimo said her first Extended Play (EP) was released in 2018, it was a five-track EP which gained a huge airplay in Ghana. She then realised how much she had grown and decided to take her time mastering her craft and finding her sound.
“After three years of really putting in my work, I released a single ‘Ngiyahamba’ an Afro pop single. It was followed by ‘taste your love’ which was very much inspired by the house music I grew up listening.
“After these two songs, I went on to collaborate on the house music genre with producers from USA, Tomer and Gidon Ricardo on an Afro house song called Nakupenda, which was released by Sunlock Records, an Italian record label.
“Shortly after, I released my third single with Katleho Tshola – the son of the late Tṧepo Tṧola – called ‘Summer Love. My next release was a song called ‘Paradise’ with Mozambican house DJ, Wilson Temba. This led to many other collaborations and of course touring to Mozambique lately,” she said.
Pearl says she has come across challenges in the music industry but, with time, she learned to be firm and stand her ground. She highlighted that it has been hard to get a chance to perform especially because she was new in the industry.
As for the artists who are still new in the industry, Tsimo encouraged them to keep going and work very hard for their craft. Apart from that, they should spend as much time as possible in the studio, recording and practicing, and keep releasing good music and stay inspired.
“If you keep moving, opportunities will present themselves, and you need to get ready,” she concluded.
For bookings Tsimo is available on her email: tsimolohomusic@gmail.com or Facebook: Tsimo/ Tsimoloho Lekaota and Instagram: Tsimo_sings and Twitter: @Tsimolohopearl
