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You probably know the soulful singer from the group The Muffinz. Kekelingo, commonly known by those who know him as Kekeletso, rewinds his life to his home in Naldedi, Soweto, where he was born and raised by ugogo and other women members of the family.
He discovered his talent for singing while cleaning his school with his fellow pupils one Friday afternoon. His teacher heard him and compelled him to sing during assembly. After singing, a rain of coins was thrown at him, which was a testament to how he touched his schoolmates.
That’s when he realised that he could make money from his vocal gift. In primary school, he invented the Keke horn, an instrument made out of plastic he used throughout his childhood and after matric to busk.
He used to busk outside the late Nelson Mandela’s house or Newtown for tourists, who sometimes gave him money in foreign currencies, which he converted to rands to buy groceries for his family.
LISTEN | The Muffinz fans rejoice, new music is coming
He has come a long way since completing high school and journeying towards making music. He even appeared on the first season of SA’s Got Talent and made it through the semi-finals.
Kekelingo is not only his stage name but also a lingo he invented. When his mom passed away in 2011, he met his bandmates and formed the Muffinz. When the group was sound-checking on the four songs it made.
Keke started singing words even he didn’t understand, but only identified after the group released its hit song, Sound Check, as his spiritual language. He says he knows Africans relate to his music and lingo because they are spiritual beings.
The singer went solo in 2020 to share his personal story and share his growth. His debut single, Khonza, featuring Ami Faku, is dedicated to his late mother. Keke emphasised the power of believing in yourself and in your dreams to succeed in life.
He said had he given in to his loved ones’ insistence on applying for 'real jobs’, we wouldn’t have known or been healed by his music.
Podcast | On the Minted Couch with Miss SA Natasha Joubert
When it comes to fame, the singer insists that although he’s the vessel or transport through which he delivers his music, he wants his work to be more known and renowned. In the podcast, he bares it all: the challenges, the highlights, his family and his latest EP, Pula, which was released a few months ago.
