Lerato Matheka

MASERU — Rasekhele Masilo, an aspiring afro jazz artiste, has landed a contract as the lead singer for the 2011 Vodacom Soccer Spectacular theme song.
The 26-year-old, who is a backing vocalist for jazz guru Bhudaza Mapefane, will sing along Molibeli “Stlofa” Mokake and Palesa Motlomelo.
Stlofa and Motlomelo won the Vodacom Superstar, a talent search competition, in August.
Vodacom will use the song to create hype for the soccer challenge which it sponsors.
This year the telecoms giant, whose subscriber base is just under a million, gave M1 million to the competition.
The theme song this year is titled, Vodacom Soccer Spectacular (final).
The muso will perform at shows hosted by Vodacom Lesotho during soccer games.
Masilo told XpressPeople he didn’t see the opportunity coming because he was merely sampling a concept that the Vodacom team had brought to the Best Kind Studios (BK Studios).
“I work as a sound engineer at BK Studios and when I received the concept which was just words that needed substance, I just worked my magic and submitted the production to the Vodacom team. They loved it and out of nowhere I landed myself a contract,” said an excited Masilo.
“It is a very exciting opportunity because it is emerging at a time when I am about to release my debut album,” said Masilo, who also runs his own band.
He said his first album will be released next week.
“I never really had the expertise of performing live as a lead singer but after teaming up with Palesa and Stlofa I am learning a lot.
“The performances which are before different crowds are grooming me indirectly because I am growing and learning how to contain myself,” Masilo said.
He said the money from the contract so far has helped him buy more musical equipment for his band.
“I have managed to buy a bass guitar and a keyboard for my band.
“The rest of the money will help towards the marketing and promotion of my 12-track album.”
Vodacom Lesotho marketing coordinator, Tsotetsi Seema, told XpressPeople that although the song is titled Vodacom Soccer Spectacular (final) it does not mean that Vodacom is ending its relationship with the soccer tournament.
“Vodacom will continue sponsoring soccer and their relationship with Lefa will forever be existent,” Seema said.
“We approached BK Studios with a concept and theme for the 2011 Vodacom Soccer Spectacular and they worked with their existing artistes and submitted the production to Vodacom. Masilo’s production matched what we were looking for,” Seema said.
He said the song incorporates two themes used in previous years.
“Because this is the final term of the contract, we have combined both the themes Sefefo and Ke Motsehetsi to come up with a new feel to the tournament,” Seema said.
He said engaging Masilo, Stlofa and Palesa is part of Vodacom Lesotho’s vision of helping nurture local artistes.
“All the three are working under a contract that has clauses that will help towards growing their music careers.”
Seema said although the song is performed by the three artistes the copyright belongs to Vodacom.
“We come up with the concept and write what we want and pitch it to the professionals hence the copyright is reserved to us.”