Morena Leraba | |
---|---|
Birth name | Teboho Lechaoa |
Born | Ha-Mojela, Lesotho |
Origin | Lesotho |
Genres | Famo, Electronic, Famo, Hip hop |
Occupations |
|
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | Blackmajor |
Teboho Lechaoa, known commonly by his stage name Morena Leraba is a Lesotho-born singer and rapper. He mainly uses traditional sesotho lyrics and combines them with electro, afro house and Hip hop. His lyrics are deeply rooted in Lesotho's traditional music, poetry, and its sub-genre, Afro.
Morena Leraba grew up in the village of Ha-Mojela in Lesotho. He got exposed to a variety of music such as kwaito and the traditional music of Lesotho including the alternative and rock music by his older brother. [1] He began his musical career in 2013, when he offered to try famo techniques on a rap song a compatriot was working on at the time. He made his first appearance on the international scene in 2014 when he was featured in the single "Do You Know Know Lesotho" by a Cape Town/German band, The Freerangers. He was first introduced to Carl McMillan, a filmmaker from Lesotho who discovered his talent then. During the same time, Morena was then introduced to the band, who were friends he studied with in Cape Town. [2]
In 2016, he released his debut single, "Bojete". The single that got the attention of Brooklyn-based producer Kashaka, which led to a collaboration on the single, "Lithebera". [3] He later collaborated with Brazil's TrapFunk & Alivio alongside Johannesburg's Mankind on the single "Impepho". He was also featured on Spoek Mathambo's 2017 album Mzansi Beat Code, and on the Blk Jks’ single, "Harare". [4] He also featured on Damon Albarn's Africa Express EGOLI album, a process that spawned the "Johannesburg" single that went on to get played on BBC Radio 6. [5] In March 2019, he was featured on the Major Lazer single "Hands Up", which also featured South African singer Moonchild Sanelly [6] and also appeared on the SABC 3 television show, Afternoon Express. [7]
He has performed as part of the arts and cultural program of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, [8] performed at the Sentebale Audi fundraising concert in aid of the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso’s Sentebale at the Hampton Court Palace in the United Kingdom, [9] shut the show down at Afropunk Johannesburg in December 2019, [10] MTN Bushfire Festival in Eswatini, [11] Fak’ugesi Festival in Braamfontein, [12] South African Human Rights Festival in Johannesburg, [13] Banlieues Bleues Jazz Festival in Zanzibar, [14] Cape Town Electronic Music Festival (CTEMF) in Cape Town [15] and also played at several club and festival shows around Europe including the Oslo World Music Festival, [16] Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture celebrations, [17] Eurosonic Noorderslag, [18] Fête de la Musique, [19] Festival Rituel 2 [20] and Rencontres Trans Musicales in Rennes, France. [21]
SothoSesotho, also known as Southern Sotho or Sesotho sa Borwa is a Southern Bantu language of the Sotho–Tswana ("S.30") group, spoken in Lesotho, and South Africa where it is an official language.
The Sotho, also known as the Basotho, are a Sotho-Tswana ethnic group native to Southern Africa. They primarily inhabit the regions of Lesotho and South Africa.
Lesotho is a Southern African nation surrounded entirely by South Africa. The largest ethnic group is the Basotho. The Basotho culture is immersed in musical traditions.
Edcon Limited was a retail company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its subsidiaries included Edgars, a department store with 203 branches. In 2020, the Competition Tribunal approved the sale of the Edgars division to Retailability (pty) Ltd, and Jet to The Foschini Group.
Sentebale is a registered charity founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Sentebale helps children and adolescents struggling to come to terms with their HIV and AIDS diagnosis. It provides a safe environment for them to address their mental health among their peers, giving them tools and knowledge.
Blk Jks, stylized BLK JKS, are a South African rock band from Johannesburg, formed in 2000.
Famo is a type of music from the African country of Lesotho, consisting of singing accompanied by the accordion, a drum, and occasionally a bass. It originated in the drinking dens of migrant workers relaxing after working in mines in the 1920s and is now a popular form of music for Sesotho speakers.
AFROPUNK is a global platform celebrating Black creativity, diversity, and freedom of expression. For 20 years, it has been a haven for artists, thinkers, and dreamers, fostering community and shaping culture through transformative experiences and impactful content. From its Brooklyn roots to cities like Bahia, Paris, Johannesburg, and Dakar, AFROPUNK amplifies voices of change and redefines the global Black experience. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we deepen our mission to honor individuality, strengthen connections, and inspire transformative action.
Ultra South Africa is Africa's largest electronic music festival and is part of Ultra Music Festival's worldwide expansion which has now spread to twenty countries. Ultra South Africa is a single day event taking place in two cities. Having debuted in 2014, Ultra South Africa is the third longest standing world editions of the festival behind Ultra Europe and Ultra Korea. Ultra South Africa is a strictly 18 and over event.
Themba Sekowe, known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown, C4 Pedro, TRESOR, Kabza De Small, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and Killer Kau. He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.
OkayAfrica is a digital media platform dedicated to African culture, music and politics. Founded in 2011 by Vanessa Wruble and Ginny Suss as a sister site to The Roots frontman Questlove's Okayplayer, the site has become a popular destination for Africans on the continent and in the diaspora. Today, OkayAfrica is the largest US-based website focusing on new and progressive music, art, politics, and culture from the African continent.
"Particula" is a song performed by American electronic music trio Major Lazer from their EP Know No Better (2017). The song features DJ Maphorisa and vocals by South African rapper Nasty C, Nigerian artists Ice Prince and Patoranking, and Nigerian-American hip hop recording artist Jidenna.
Sanelisiwe Twisha, known professionally as Moonchild Sanelly is a South African musician and dancer. She is known for her signature blue-coloured hair and her self-created music genre called "Future ghetto funk". Originally from Port Elizabeth, the singer first came into limelight in the Durban poetry and music scene before relocating to Johannesburg, where she has continued her musical career.
Lwazi Asanda Gwala, better known as DJ Lag, is a South African DJ and record producer. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of gqom, a genre of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 2010s in Durban, South Africa. In 2019, DJ Lag notably collaborated with Tierra Whack, Beyoncé, Moonchild Sanelly, Nija, Yemi Alade and Busiswa on a track called "My Power" on Beyoncé's album, The Lion King: The Gift.
JazziDisciples were an amapiano DJ and producer duo originating from South Africa. They were composed of two record producers known by their stage names Mr JazziQ and Josiah De Disciple.
Nonqaba Nozuko Rwaxa, better known as Ms Cosmo, is a South African DJ, radio personality, MC, podcaster, music producer and singer. She is known for being the host of The Trap House and The Stir Up on 5FM. She was the first female DJ to join Channel O’s DJ music show, The Bassment.
TDK Macassette, whose real name is Thandeka Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi, is a South African dancer, singer, radio host and media personality. She got her break in the music industry when she provided corporate services to DJ Maphorisa after they had been to a corporate gig. She is the founder of a communication management company called Tdeeiosion.
Tumelo Manyoni known professionally as Mr JazziQ, is a South African Amapiano DJ and record producer. He is best known for being a former member of the amapiano DJ duo, JazziDisciples.
Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a choral music composer and the first black South African to write a symphonic poem, in 1941.
Puseletso Seema is a musician and performer of the Famo musical tradition in Lesotho. She has been acclaimed as the Queen of Famo.