MEET SA IDOLS FINALIST, LOYISO GIJANA

Lloyiso Gijana has come a long way since reaching the finals in SA Idols 2015. Late last year he signed an international recording contract with Universal Music, and the world is now his stage.

As part of his new record-deal reality, Lloyiso will be flying off to America to piece together what will become an album filled with some of the music industry’s biggest names – something that’s going to ask a great deal of this rising star. In New York City he’ll be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Drake, Ariana Grande and Post Malone, all of whom are also signed with Universal Music.

EYE ON THE PRIZE
Despite Lloyiso’s youth (he’ll be 23 on 8 March), he has written his roadmap with determination, ambition and razor-sharp focus, keeping his eye on the prize every step of the way. ‘I built my brand through social media, constantly posting and sharing what I was up to, singing from my bedroom… and people were affected by what they saw and heard,’ he says. So much so, that some of his posts went viral, hitting tens of millions of views, and before too long Universal Music came knocking with an offer of a record deal. ‘I never knew it would come to this point,’ he admits. ‘But I’ve always known that this was what I want, so it’s great that things are happening now.’

A FAMILY AFFAIR
‘I come from a big household,’ says Lloyiso. ‘I have four siblings and many other family members, so there are many of us.’ He spent a lot of time in church, partly because his grandfather was a priest. ‘There was always music and I loved that,’ he recalls. He is very grateful for his solid family foundation. ‘I have been singing all my life around a family that gave me a voice,’ he says.

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IDOLS WAS HIS INTRO
Entering SA Idols at such a young age – he was just 16 at the time – gave him the perfect opportunity to hone his craft. ‘That experience confirmed that singing was what I wanted to do, and taught me how to achieve it. It was a great introduction into the business of music,’ he says.

Perhaps not surprisingly, his mother was concerned that the entertainment industry wouldn’t offer her son a secure career, and Lloyiso heeded her concern. ‘I went to City Varsity to study teaching,’ he says. ‘At some point growing up, I thought teaching would be a good skill to have.’ However, the music bug just kept biting, and eventually he made the bold move, parked his studies and headed full-time into the world of melody and beats. ‘Music chose me, for sure,’ he says with a laugh. ‘There is no Plan B for me – this is my only plan.’

“Music chose me, for sure. There is no Plan B for me – this is my only plan.”

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THANK YOU, SAM SMITH
‘My love of music in general, and pop in particular, was informed by my sister’s CD collection,’ he says. ‘She was always buying music – Jordin Sparks, Beyoncé and the likes. I would listen to them all and memorise the words to each song, and found myself singing these songs every day. But if I have to single out one major influence on me, it would have to be Sam Smith. When I heard his music I was blown away by his ability to express his vulnerability through song. I was truly hooked. It paved the way for how I convey my message today.’

EXPORT QUALITY
With Lloyiso’s talent, dedication to his craft, drive and charisma, it’s not surprising that the world sat up and took notice. Millions of people are watching and listening as he makes his way to much bigger things than the teenage Idols contestant ever dreamt of. Watch this proudly South African space!

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