L.E.K.G.O.A

THE ONE AND ONLY WHITE KWAITO SUPERSTAR!

"Ever since I was young, African pop music has been in my blood."

It is a statement that could so easily have been made by anyone making their mark in the music industry. Our love for beats and rhythms in their various forms is perhaps the only true common factor among people around the world.

So, what happens when the talented Sotho Speaking Francois Henning adopts the stage name of Lekgoa, meaning "white person", and establishes himself as a kwaito star?

Lekgoa went to great lengths to immerse himself in the African pop music to which he was drawn. "I remember listening to Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Brenda Fassie - all the big African stars of the '80s. I even used to go to the soccer stadiums just to see the shows they had before the game." All this amid the atmosphere of apartheid.

It seems that the cliché that raves are for whites and kwaito is for blacks does not apply to Lekgoa, especially with his dislike for what he calls "fast music". For at the heart of this kwaito personality is an individuality that will be hard to keep down.

Instead, he suggests that people change with the times. "It's the new millennium. People should be open to change. People should feel free to do whatever they want to," he says.

Sometimes referred to as "Leboere", Lekgoa views his step into kwaito as a natural progression. Citing Chicco Twala as one of his major influences, his leap into the music industry started when he sent a demo tape to a record company, where his talent was instantly recognized.

"A lot of stuff has happened since the first album. I've been doing a lot of touring and my second album is set for release in early February 2002 entitled 'NGAMLA YOBA!'. Lekgoa is also watched by millions of viewers on South Africas most popular soapie GENERATIONS, his life story had such an impact on the producers that they created a character based on his own life story as the Sotho speaking, heart breaker and budding kwaito artist, 'Nickholas'.

Television is certainly not a new experience for Lekgoa, as his performances have stunned TV viewers across the continent, he has spoken to CNN and stunned the world through a documentary depicting his unique life and career.

Lekgoa was nominated for a prestigious KORA music award as best male newcomer in 2000 and has recently comlpeted a successful tour to France and London.

This young powerful performer has touched millions of people across the color barrier and is set to convey a positive message to all his fans. What he wants is for young people to take charge of their lives and realize that individuality is more important than being part of the crowd. "Young people must realize the power they have within themselves to create anything they desire".

That's some sound advice from a star who, despite his fame, still seems to have his feet firmly planted on the ground. But where one-hit wonders like Vanilla Ice and the babbling Snow soon fell into obscurity, Lekgoa seems more than Le-ready for the long ride.