He is a 21-year-old from Sakhile who comes from a family of singers, and his mother and grandmother are exceptional vocalists in church choirs.
He is Tefo Radebe, also known as ‘Tivolli’. This versatile musician with strength in the amapiano genre wants to promote his community, Sakhile, and the rest of Standerton.
He has just released his latest EP and is getting thousands of streams on Spotify. Tivolli said the EP describes him, and the response on social media platforms is fantastic.
“I hear my songs in cars passing by, and I ask myself, ‘Do they know who the artist is, or do they realise they have just passed the artist?‘”
He has featured artists such as Lihle Leehleza and musician TNK Musiq.
“Through these collaborations, I have gained 600 monthly listeners. I have realised Standerton is undeveloped. People with power here abuse it and don’t use it to uplift. Struggling artists perform for free. Sometimes we get paid with alcohol, but we lack many things,” says Tivolli.
He said being an artist in Standerton is challenging because there are no facilities, and many young people eventually lose hope.
“I found my biggest motivation when I compared myself to Kabza Da Small and DJ Maphorisa. The dream is to surpass them. I have struggled so hard and am even struggling now. The level of my struggle motivates me.”
He says people who own events in Standerton suppress musicians. He adds that most musicians from Standerton merely perform as curtain raisers for bigger artists.
“When you ask to be paid for your performance, you end up being a target.”
Tivolli sees himself being outside Standerton and SA.
“Creative people in different art forms are left out in the cold. There is a lot of talent in this town, but it is not seen. Many of us are given a talent to perform through music, and that is what we have to give to the world.”
The musician says he uses his own money to pay for his studio sessions. He refers to himself as multi-talented when it comes to music.
“I am a vocalist, a lyricist, a band player, a note writer and a trumpet player. We plead for the residents of Standerton to support local artists.
“All we need is to be heard and seen. We want to uplift Standerton so that it shines,” concludes Tivolli.
