It’s time for Young, Black, Queer artists to be seen, heard and to be celebrated in all their glory.

Words by Tutu Zondo

I can’t exactly pinpoint the moment I met Lelo Meslani, or even the moment we became friends but, I distinctly remember the moment I thought to myself, "Damn, he’s a big deal.” It wasn’t when he had his first New York Times by-line at 22, or when he played the Afropunk Festival in 2019 at just the age of 23. No, it was sometime before that, on a rooftop in Maboneng where Lelo was DJ-ing. He finished an incredible set that left the room quite literally buzzing with energy but, he didn’t leave just yet. On the line-up that day was a new DJ playing her first set. She was a ball of nerves who didn’t seem too sure of how to use the equipment or what her set was going to be and Lelo, with no hesitation, stepped in and made sure that, not only was the set incredible but, that the younger DJ felt confident, that she had a good time. That, for me, was the moment I knew he was made of something completely different.

 The morning we shot this historic cover was a busy one; assistants running up and down, the styling team putting out fires that inevitably come with shoot day and one of the cover stars’ dog playfully running around on set. In all this madness, Lelo was calm, quiet…reserved. When I sat down with the writer, DJ and cultural curator, I learned that this is how he has always been. A calm in the storm — a skill that has undoubtedly served him well in the entertainment industry. 

In the busyness of the shoot, we begin to speak about his childhood. In his own words, “Teenage Lelo was well behaved, got excellent grades and, was popular, obviously”. He also spent a lot of time flipping through Channel O, Trace and MTV. It was through these channels that he developed the very deep love he has for music, fashion and art and the intersection of all three. Growing up he had a deep love and appreciation for musicians like DJ Cndo, Lebo Mathosa and TKZee, a constellation of South African superstars, whose footsteps he is following closely.

His very steady rise to success isn’t one happening by mistake or out of sheer luck. It’s been years in the making. At just 21, while still a social media manager and copywriter, Lelo started taking DJ lessons with Collen from the Joburg based collective P***y Party and just a month into those lessons, he landed his first gig; an iconic event hosted by one half of the duo Faka, Fela Gucci and that really was just the beginning. Since then, he has graced the AfroPunk stage, played a Boiler Room set and curated playlists for Apple Music. These are just three of my favourite Lelowhatsgood moments but there have been so many. 

 Lelo is not only known for being one of the most exciting young DJ’s in the country, he is also known for the iconic movement known as Vogue Nights Jozi. A space created to celebrate communities that have, for so long, been pushed into the fringes of society. This Ballroom event was made for the LGBT community, to centre us, to give us a place where we could experience something that resembles freedom. Vogue Nights Jozi is more than just a party. It’s a space built on the pillars of music, fashion, dance and the most important pillar of all, community.

The last Vogue Nights was a roaring success and during that weekend (The last one of South African Pride Month), it was announced that Lelo and Vogue Nights have entered a partnership with Johnnie Walker; this is no small feat for an event that is only 3 years old. At the first official event announcing this partnership, Lelo took to the stage and spoke about what it means to create space for the LGBTI+ community. Hearing him speak reminded me how intentional he has been every step of the way. Again, I repeat, nothing happening here is by chance — this is by great design. 

In the few weeks since we first sat down to do this interview, Lelo has played countless gigs, attended the Feather Awards, of which he is a double nominee (and winner) and hosted Vogue Nights Cape Town. During our last conversation for this interview, I ask Lelo about his obviously very bright future, he smiles his infectious smile and begins to tell me some of the projects he has on the horizon. The most exciting being that Lelowhatsgood is (finally) releasing music. This is the natural next step for him. He tells me about his lead single “Hotel Song” which is due to be released this summer.

There is a shift happening in the world, in art and music. Young, Black, Queer artists are refusing to hide; they are rejecting the idea of having decades long careers spent in closets. These young artists are no longer satisfied with their art being the source of inspiration without credit. It’s now time for them to be seen, heard and to be celebrated in all their glory. Lelo is such an artist and I, for one, am going to enjoy watching him take centre stage.