WATCH | Inside Lloyiso’s intimate listening session for ‘Seasons’ EP

An hour after the exclusive listening session to which TshisaLIVE was invited was set to begin, the room erupted into young applause when the musician walked onto the stage at an intimate set up at Universal Music’s offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Ready to share his full EP with the world on March 31, Lloyiso and team invited a few journalists and music writers to hear some of the songs they have kept close to their chests.

As Lloyiso and the programme director chat, it becomes clear March 15 is a significant day for the singer as he reflects on his rollercoaster journey as a singer looking to become superstar.

“ I've always known that what I can do is beyond me. It's not even me controlling this whole narrative. It's God. I'm driven by a spiritual entity that is beyond me. Even at times where I'm like 'I'm done with this. I give up', it always brings it back to me to this moment.”

Lloyiso started singing at a tender age in church and at school. South Africa came to know the talented singer as a young bubbly character when he entered the singing competition Idols SA aged 16. He placed fifth in the competition and went on to finish high school.

After only “three weeks at university” he left and focused on music inspired by Sam Smith and Travis Scott and he hasn't looked back.

At the listening session he reflected on the struggle and internal conflict he battled while fighting for his dream.

“I've gone through a lot of struggle and pain, trying to make this work. Always thinking, 'Is this really worth it?' But something inside me told me it is worth it. It was at that point that I was like, 'there's no way I went through all this to end just a singer in my room.  This is something the whole world will get to see and hear'.”

Loyiso reflected on his journey and how different moments in his life affirmed him.

He told how his mother hid in the room next to the one he was singing in, listening to him, and how afterwards she told him: “When you sing, I feel it in my womb.”

Lloyiso said the significance of that moment was not lost on him because he realised the effect of his voice on his mother was the same one other people would feel, even if it translated differently for them.

After being signed by Universal Music Group SA and Republic Records, the same label that has  Drake, The Weekend and Ariana Grande on its roster, Lloyiso knew his stars had finally aligned.

He waits with excitement for March 31 when the world will experience his Seasons EP. 

A lil' bird told TshisaLIVE there's tons of music from Lloyiso that is ready and waiting for the right stars to align so the world will know Lloyiso for the extraterrestrial talent he is.