Relo Embody’s Mzanzi with a Gift of Life

By Quibell Ramantswana , 15 Jan 2010

Women Power: ReloAs much as I appreciate women, I hardly give them enough credit, keeping away from encouraging “Woman’s Power” in preference to staying loyal to the “Man’s Power” slogan.

Having said that, the truth has to be told sometimes - some women have made such an enormous impact in the music industry that cannot be possibly ignored, well, not anymore! Another woman who’s musical talent was easily detectable in a male dominant group is Relo, from Skwatta Kamp, a multi-award-winning South African Hip Hop group.

Relo, who’s real name is Refiloe Tsotetsi, was introduced to Skwatta Kamp, a few years back, after she attended the gig with ‘Infadizle’ and randomly met ‘Slikour’, both members of the seven guy group - Slikour was the second member to be astonished by Relo’s singing talent. How did this happen? It happened when she sang for him the hit song, ‘I’m Going Down’ by Mary J Blidge - from this moment Slikour was instinctively convinced that something was up!

As you could imagine, to mesmerize two member out of seven, with five more to go, could be quite a hurdle. Not only that - meeting a guy at a gig and to start singing, as some sort of an audition, is not a normal routine. It could have been hard for Slikour to promise her a dream, at least.

“…because I am woman myself, but I didn’t look at myself in a shallow…”

Usually, singers ‘wannabe’ have to provide a demo tape as a fundamental step in order to be heard by people who might give them the opportunity to become stars. Taking that into consideration, it didn’t take long before the rest of the group heard what an amazing singer Relo is. The next thing she knew she was going UP! She then became part of the accomplished Hip Hop group - Skwatta Kamp! What a relief!

Some might have questioned the decision of featuring the eighth member as pointless, to already what looked like an over-crowded group The additional of a local lass, Relo, soon proved to be rather a judicious move - it was beyond question that she was not there to increase the numbers, but to make a difference. Who could forget that ‘Umoya’ track - tjo tjo tjo! Madness! One has to give the guys full credit for featuring the right candidate; her contribution definitely did them justice:
“We all had a potential of rapping but I was the only one with a female vocal that could sing”

But being the only girl in the group would have been demanding? “I might have had a difficult part but at the same time, I had the most nicest part.”
After the success with Skwatta Kamp group - Relo kept a low profile in public, indulging in other interests. She studied Marketing and also work in the advertising industry - while still keeping an eye on her talent, singing! She appeared on ‘Slikour Ventilation Mixtape 2′ with the track ‘Ngiya’Kholwa’ - and on DJ Ganyani house banger ‘Keep On Moving’ respectively!

Now already known country wide - most people knew that Relo’s low profile status wouldn’t last, at least for a little while. We all need to keep a low profile at some point, don’t we? It was unthinkable that her valuable singing talent could disappear - just like THAT? She finally showed up to the music industry, where she belongs, after the public demanded her to report her talent back on board.

According to the 88 Productions singer and song writer, she just wanted to take things easy for a change:
“All these years, I’ve been working under pressure; I don’t want to work under pressure”
Last year, 2009, South Africa was blessed by yet another young, beautiful and talented woman’s work. The blessing of Relo’s debut album ‘Gift of Life’ - produced by the renowned DJ Kent; the album shows her versatility and what Relo is made of. Admittedly, the album has offered more than what was anticipated from her:
“There is so much more in the art of music that you need to introduce - that is why I just decided on going for a full album - which is totally different to what South Africa knows.”

Ironically, the album was mean to appeal to females - but amazingly, all House music loyalists seem to have appreciated the album despite the gender targeted audience. Asked why the target was particularly females, Tsotetsi said:
“I guess is because I am woman myself, but I didn’t look at myself in a shallow of that is only females; I wanted the opportunity to go beyond even mothers, fathers and kids.”

She clearly make her mark on her debut album to make herself a prominent solo artist. The year, 2009, was definitely Relo’s one - her album has won the public’s heart added by the approval of nominations from TVSA ( The South African TV Authority) - as the Best Album Of The Year, followed by Best Single Of The Year - ‘Keep on Moving’!

Folks, South African women can sing - let’s give them credit where it’s due!

• You can buy Relo’s album in local music store, South Africa!