T-Mech

Aka Lemekoane

Ask anyone, anyone that you know who has been here long enough and they will tell you, Lesotho's most popular hiphop song in 2013 was Basali-Basali, critics have sought to throw shade saying it's a remake or a bootleg, but this would have me asking, is not the next gospel hit a remake? So remake or no remake, that song was one of the greatest songs ever to come out of this country, and this was the man behind it, T-Mech, and believe me, we had more than a thousand reasons to put this brother on Challenge_IGI, one of our bloggers had a lengthy conversation with him and this is how it went;

Blogger;Who really is Lemekoane?

I was born Thulo Monyake on 6th Feb 1989, I am Son, brother , producer, audio engineer, Artist, Entrepreneur, brand ambassador, model, CEO and Managing Director at Basali Basali clothing and MIP.

Bl; When did you start doing Music?

I Started making music in 2001, in secondary 2 at Machabeng college

Bl; Who Are Your Musical Influences?

My influences are Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Eminem, Jus’Blaz , Swizz Beats, Bone

Thugs and Harmony, and more.

Bl; Do You Have a Formal Music Education?

Yes, I studied Audio Engineering at SAE Capetown from2008 to 2010, Guitars kills IB CAS 2006-7,

Bl;What's the difference between you and the next rapper i could meet in the streets of Maseru?

The next MSU rapper is not me..They are probably just another copycat rap artist. I'm not

Just a rapper in fact that's the last aspect of my musical structure. In short the next rapper

doesn't work half as hard as I do.

Bl; How Do You Handle Mistakes During a Performance?

 Mistakes? I don't really handle, I just make them part of the performance best I can and carry on with the show. Nothing is worse than amplifying a mishap instead of diffusing it on the go.

Bl; Do male and female rappers generally get the same opportunities and equal pay?

 Male and females are never treated the same anywhere really but in Lesotho both parties are ill-treated. The males have more presence so they essentially get better attended. Pay is always relative.

Bl;  What is the potential income for this career?

The potential income for this line of work can only be fully deteined by the work put in by the specific act in question. Eg. One can average anything from M1500 to M15000 plus in a

night/weekend of shows or performances may be more where hosting events

Bl;  Is there growth in this field? How do things generally look for new musicians entering the field?

 From experience over the years, there has been vast growth. I started in 01 Ifirst got paid 5k as al arge group in2013 12years in to my career. 2017 I'm averaging a lot more per show. There are new opportunities like brand ambassador work billboard appearances, talent searches larger scale events, willing sponsors and more. New artists on the scene still have a long way to go to earn their credits but they have it a lot

Easier than those of us with more than 10 years in this. Structures are better, sound quality has improved channels IG media access are more accessible so the new guys have it easy.

Bl;  What do you consider your greatest asset as a musician?

My greatest asset as a musician would habe to be my ear along with my patience for the job. Those two work very closely together to allow me to deliver the best work in multiple areas.

Bl; do you think you could make it in industries as huge as that of South Africa and Nigeria?

 I could make it anywhere long as I got my current gifts, abilities and access to the right tools. In fact if I can make it work in Lesotho where there is minimal infrastructure then where matters are orderly I would be much better placed.

Bl; Would you work with anyone from South Africa or Nigeria? If yes who in particular?

I have already worked with names in RSA and beyond. Ifani, Maleh, TsepoTsola, Zenzo, JWC, Kulax ,J-One ,Illskillz, DjSwitch, ThapeloTTP, and more.

Bl; What's your take on beef in general?

Beef in general? Well negativity is never a good stop however matters like beef are derived

from  once healthy competition which may get outta hand when emotions ruu  wild. I'm not a fan of emotions cause they lack logic and when we can't use beef as a constructive and safe means of progress then it's allwrong.

Bl; Don't you think beef could create gang wars such as those of the famous blanket gangs?

People create gangs and wars over oxygen and airs pace things wecan't even see so beef is like any other form of conflict can and will start a problem if and when not managed properly.

Bl; #Challenge_IGI is meant to create unity amongst other things, do you think this will be achieved through this initiative?

 IGI is a strong Initiative and a good step forward toward the goal of artist unity but that can only really be achieved by affecting the way our artists and people think collectively

Bl;  What can you say about our music as local artistes, are we there yet, if not, what's missing? 

 As local artists we still have quite a length to cover in regard to our music. There are many of us delivering some good work but we have a  lot to prove on between writing skills and quality of product as well as delivery. Very few of us are applying the required efforts in educating self and putting quality content out. We need to work a lot harder to actualize and realize our dream.

Bl; Whats the worst that's ever happened to you on stage?

The worst that has happened to me was having to leave stage 7min 23 seconds in to an hour set for a Dj to be slotted in at one of the biggest events of my career at the time.

Bl; Whats the craziest stunt you ever did on stage?

craziest stage stunt would have to be opening off my performance with a gospel hymn as a

Hip hop act at a major youth concert or performing in Sesotho to an all Indian audience in Cape Town after letting the audience know they may not hear a thing I'm saying but please enjoy yourself.

Bl; Whats to be expected the next time you release music?

My next release will be an authentic project. Something I have been patiently cooking up

Over years of work.#AvRcUsb Ep and Lp. Basically the movie into my life/T-Mech'slife.

Bl; Gig Update

Gig update:  25 March I'm in Qacha with Tlama Thata at Lenk's Night Club. 9th march I'm  at MSU Market with Count Pushkin Vodka, BornSavage and BasaliClothing,

Bl; One word for yourself as an artiste?

Enigmatic

I met T-mech many years ago, I can’t remembered the exact year but it was quite a while back, him and I have worked together on quite a number of times, we’ve had our differences also, can’t really call them beefs but yes we’ve clashed. In my eyes T-mech is one of the most hard working young musicians this country has ever had, I respect this young homie right here. Be sure to check T-mech's music on T-Mech's Soundcloud