Lloyiso's weight loss journey shapes new music chapter
He was only about 16 years old when he made it to the top 5 of Idols season 5.
As the youngest contestant of the reality show, he shook the right grounds and made an impression that lasted on many.
The older Lloyiso grew, the more his 'herd' grew with him.
'The Herd' has been a name of endearment for his supporters, aligned to his Elephant in the Room tour.
Taking pride in being fan-centric, he tells Drum at the launch of the Stella Artois Racquet club that his performances are his way of appreciating his fan base.
'The most important thing is just to convey the message of the music in a physical form. Sometimes things don't really get portrayed in the audio format on like Apple Music or Spotify. So, when I'm in front of people, I feel like that's where I kind of let out everything and anything that's in my heart. It's like therapy for me.
Read more | Grammy award-winning artist India Arie praises SA's Lloyiso for his 'striking' voice
'They mean everything to me. Honestly, they've taken me since I was 16 years old till now. They are now the herd, and for them to grow with me, it has been such a beautiful thing because sometimes you lose the connection with an artist, but they've kept that connection with me. So, it's amazing,' he adds.
Whenever Lloyiso steps on stage, he electrifies.
Joking about how energetic he gets; he says that he wakes up ready to put on a show for his supporters and that forms a big part of his brand as an artist.
The award-winning soulful singer attributes this to finding himself and remaining authentic in the cut-throat industry.
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A post shared by LLOYISO🐘 (@lloyiso_rsa)
'It's a different approach from other artists. Once you find your true self and find what makes you happy, it's easy for you to connect with people.'
Getting to this point was no easy or linear journey, though.
'Since I was young, I was exposed to the industry, so it took experience. It took me getting into rooms with certain people and realising that, actually, this is what I want to be. I don't want to be that. And seeing people also get into the industry and leave the industry has shown me how to stay in the industry. So that's what I'm currently doing, practising a new way, an authentic way, and a real way of doing things,' he says.
In his quest to find himself, Lloyiso also found his way to mental and physical health. His latest single, Higher, which he requested to be played as the first Racquet Club tournament drew to a close, crowning JR Bogopa the champion, documents his victory.
Read more | Lloyiso Gijana on being signed to New York label - 'I manifested this'
'It is my victory song. Going from physical health to mental health, to emotional health, making that song was one of the key factors to becoming who I am right now. Yes, it's just a song, but to me, it's like therapy. It's something that has driven me through everything, and it's about pushing and getting to your higher self and your best self.'
Reminiscing on how he listened to the song on repeat, non-stop for six months straight, leading up to his major weight loss and new look, he chuckles.
'For about six months, I was listening to that song over and over again in the gym. And it got me to be the way I am right now.'
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