Ever since he exploded onto the music scene, Lection (real name Thebe Lekhonkhobe) is making all the right moves.
Meeting at Cresta Shopping Centre, it was evident that the creative behind the popular song Basadi is breathing new air into the Motswako world.
“I am all about music and pleasing the crowd,” he said.
“Music to me is what Mandela did for the country. He encouraged people, which is what I am doing through my music.
The Basadi hit maker said ever since he could remember, he always wanted to inspire people through music, and possibly be the next 2pac, he laughs.
“When I was in the exam room and found the paper hard, I would just resort to writing lyrics while the others stressed about the paper,” he recalls.
It figures, though. The Northcliff resident, who was born in Rustenburg and raised in Mafikeng, didn’t simply stumble into the limelight. He’s had a while to reflect and wait for his turn.
The rapper also believes that an artist has to go through some sort of a breakthrough for them to start materialising.
“Sometimes it is good to be grounded as an artist, because you never know where or when you will receive help from people… I have had my fair share of challenges, but I love challenges because they build me,” he says.
Speaking about the Basadi single that attracted all kinds of attention, the beaming Lection said it was a song which came out of nowhere.
“I was at a club and there were more women on the dance floor than men. When I grabbed the mic, I just started saying Basadi, Basadi (women, women) and it was amazing because the reaction that I got made me realise that I was onto something.”
The conversation was also spurred by his latest single They Know, featuring Lungelo, which he says was more about him telling people about the person he is.
“I wrote that song when Basadi was in a hype. I wanted people to know Lection the rapper, not the gimmick, but now They Know because they have heard me rap,” he says.
Lection says his stage presence makes him unique.
“My strong selling point is me on stage.When I am on stage, I know exactly how to please the crowd and I love it when people are excited.”
If you want to see Lection in action, join him at the upcoming celebration of the Motswako genre, Maftown Heights Music Festival, in Newtown on 28 November.
“I am looking forward to the event, the crowd and, most importantly, my energy on stage.”
Did you know?
The pseudonym Lection is derived from his full name. LEKhonkhobe Thebe JaIrus SolomON.
