“Da L.E.S” is the PRINCE of South African Hip Hop. The American born rapper came to national prominence in 2011 as a member of the hip hop group JOZI in the reality series ‘Jozi – Moving the City’. He cemented his celebrity status in 2013 when he won a million Rand as the winner of the reality show, ‘Tropika Island of Treasure’. Da L.E.S stopped by Populairelife to discuss his sophomore album; MANDELA MONEY, which he says, is a lifestyle and a result of being inspired by the late political leader.
Da L.E.S is in the building, welcome to PopulaireLife. How are you?
In a good space, the music has got me really motivated..
How did you break into the business and was it something you always wanted to do?
I always wanted to perform from the age of 8… I feel like I am still breaking into the music industry. Every day it changes locally and internationally.
Congratulations on your sophomore album “MANDELA MONEY”, it’s a great title, what’s it about?
“Da L.E.S” is the PRINCE of South African Hip Hop. The American born rapper came to national prominence in 2011 as a member of the hip hop group JOZI in the reality series ‘Jozi – Moving the City’. He cemented his celebrity status in 2013 when he won a million Rand as the winner of the reality show, ‘Tropika Island of Treasure’. Da L.E.S stopped by Populairelife to discuss his sophomore album; MANDELA MONEY, which he says, is a lifestyle and a result of being inspired by the late political leader.
Da L.E.S is in the building, welcome to PopulaireLife. How are you?
In a good space, the music has got me really motivated..
How did you break into the business and was it something you always wanted to do?
I always wanted to perform from the age of 8… I feel like I am still breaking into the music industry. Every day it changes locally and internationally.
Congratulations on your sophomore album “MANDELA MONEY”, it’s a great title, what’s it about?
Mandela Money is a life style of working hard and that we each have the ability to achieve the heights of MADIBA….
“Heaven” and “Fire” have been very successful singles off the album and you’ve worked with some pretty amazing producers, what inspired the sound and how has Da L.E.S evolved as an artist?
The producers are all under the age of 21 and are from 3 corners of the continent, DRC, MZBQ, & SA…. The sound is what I feel expresses where I am in my life…the mature part of me…. The hip hop/party side of me, with a solid r&b influence…
Why did you take ages to release Mandela Money after the success of your debut Album Fresh 2 Def?
This is a great question….. this is actually the 2nd version of the album….. I scrapped the first album with about 15 tracks, was just not happy and started from scratch…….. the time delay I can only attribute to the fact only Gods knows the right time to release, I have resolved that music is pendent on your space of mind and Gods timing, it’s now L.E.S Season!
Mandela Money is a life style of working hard and that we each have the ability to achieve the heights of MADIBA