In conversation with songstress Melo

City Buzz caught up with Tumelo Tshetlo, aka Melo, a Motswako Soul singer, after her live performance with her five-piece band at Kitcheners in Braamfontein.

Melo is not new to the industry but her journey to being recognised as an artist in her own right appears to have only recently taken off.

“It’s definitely harder cracking it into the industry if you’re an unknown, or haven’t been featured on a song with a big artist or if you just don’t have the right contacts. It’s harder but not impossible,” she said.

“Ultimately if you believe in your talent and continue working hard at perfecting your art then you will push through. My second single June featuring DJ Guru has just been playlisted on YFM, along with other community radio stations, proving that hard work does pay off.”

Melo hopes to grow the Motswako Soul, a genre she describes as a “combination of English and Setswana lyrics on a soulful jazzy melody”.

“This genre kind of chose me and not the other way round. I’m from Mafikeng, the origin of the Motswako movement with your HHPs, and Tuks Senganga amongst many others,” she explained.

“I knew all the lyrics to the popular Motswako tunes and many times I’d find myself singing those rhymes and not rapping to them – that’s when I decided Motswako Soul was what I wanted to do.”

Although Melo may not be a regular on radio, she is definitely one to watch when it comes to live performances.

She explained the magic of performing live. “There is nothing more rewarding than performing to a live audience and actually watching as they appreciate your music and craft. The pressure is greater, but the satisfaction is also great.”

“With live performance you can’t hide anything; the mistakes, the emotion, everything is just live,” said Melo.

Having performed at Shikisha and Kitcheners, among other venues in the inner city, Melo said she found the audience more receptive to her music.

“Joburg is a place filled with people of different cultures who want to experience different cultures, different musical sounds and the audience is normally made up of people from all over the world who just want to appreciate good music,” she added.