Moropeng Koko, known to his fans as Lovers Khontrola, is shaking things up with lekompo music in Gauteng.
The 19-year-old, according to himself, is the youngest in the popular music genre. Koko had a deep love for the genre from a young age, and, as someone who grew up in Limpopo, he looked up to artists such as King Monada, real name Khutso Kgatla.
“They inspire me because they got their breakthrough in their early 2020s, and looking at how young I am, and at how they have pushed now, also performing for big crowds, I want to be the same”.
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It was in 2019, during Grade 7, when he started singing. He said that he, with his friends, collaborated and formed a group called Malamolela Fam. They met up with Dee Jayy MLK, real name Moloko Masalesa, who helped them record their first song using FL mobile on his android phone.
“He gave me the confidence to become a vocalist, and that’s when I realised that music was truly in my blood. From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue it seriously as I grow.”
Life took a turning point when Koko moved to Gauteng to begin his high school. Realising that lekompo was not as famous as it was in Limpopo discouraged him.
Although he stopped recording at that time, he was still as artistic as before. He fell in love with mime acting, a theatrical non-verbal performance art using precise body movement. He joined miming classes at his school in Diepsloot, where he would participate and apply for talent shows, their group winning first position.
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“I also tried to sing amapiano during that time, just to fit in as it’s so famous this side, but I was struggling as I felt like it didn’t align with me.”
Upon that realisation, he remembered his first love, the lekompo music, and began recording hits. “I worked on songs like Mabjaleng and Maina. I also got an opportunity to perform at Bunk House in Pretoria and events like University of Lekompo, hosted by Sylvester ‘Abuti Vee’ Nkwana. That was my highlight.”
His worry now is to develop a fanbase in Diepsloot. “It is difficult to collaborate with bigger artists. I have faced limitations, like lack of proper production equipment and dealing with noise pollution when recording.
Also, finding gigs and consistent opportunities. However, these challenge have motivated me to work harder and stay focused on my dream.”
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