DJ Cleo

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DJ Cleo
Birth nameTlou Cleopas Monyepao
Also known asM.R. Es'Khaleni
Born (1980-01-17) 17 January 1980 (age 44)
Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa
OriginJohannesburg
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active2002–present
LabelsWill of Steel Productions
Websitewww.djcleo.co.za

Tlou Cleopas Monyepao (born January 17, 1980), professionally known as DJ Cleo, is a South African Kwaito, House music and Hip hop producer. He was born in Gauteng.[1] DJ Cleo has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the South African music industry, he produced successful singles and albums for various artists before going on to produce and release his debut album "Es'khaleni" in 2004. His 2012 Single "Facebook" earned him three awards at 18th SAMA. His eleventh album Eskhaleni 11 (2019), which include single "Yile Gqom" and Yile Piano, Vol. 1 (2019).

Life and career[edit]

Early life[edit]

Tlou Cleopas Monyepao was born in Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa.[2] Monyepao attended Springs Boys High School. With help of Hilde Buhr he developed his creativity reconnection so he started making music.

Career[edit]

He began his career as a producer of the Unrestricted Breakfast Show hosted by DJ Fresh on YFM.[3] Cleo found himself enjoying producing for radio and soon started exploring producing music for himself and others.

His debut recording was "Will of Steel", which featured on DJ Glen Lewis/DJ Fresh's "Gatecrasher double CD compilation.[4][5] He remixed Bucy Rhadebe single "Uzugcin’ Impilo Yam", originally released in 2020.[6]

Television[edit]

He was a producer of the e.tv soapie Rhythm City (TV series). In 2013, he was the co-host alongside Angie Khumalo of documentary reality show Vaya Mzansi season 1 on SABC 1.[7][8] Cleo competed on Lip Sync Battle Africa - Season 2. He performed live on Idols South Africa - Season 17.

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

  • Es'khaleni (2004)
  • Es'khaleni Ext. 2 (2005)
  • Es'khaleni Zone 3
  • Es'khaleni Phase 4 (2007)
  • Es'khaleni Unit 5 (2008)
  • Es'khaleni 6 (2009)
  • Es'khaleni 7 (2010)
  • Cassanova Vol. 1 (2011)
  • Es'khaleni Ext.2 (2013)
  • Disclosure (2014)
  • Es'khaleni 11 (2019)
  • Yile Piano, Vol. 1 (2021)

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award ceremony Prize Work/Recipient Result Ref.
2008
 14th SAMA Urban Dance Es'khaleni Phase 4 Won [9]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 Best Male Artist of the Year Nominated
2012
 18th SAMA Best-Selling True-Tone Download of the Year "Facebook" Won [10][11]
Best-Selling Ring-Tone Won [12]
MTN Best-Selling Mobile Music Download Won [10]
2021 Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards Best DJ Won [13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Cleopas Monyeapao". Discogs. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  2. ^ "DJ Cleo: Everything about him will leave you in awe". 18 June 2020.
  3. ^ "DJ Cleo | TVSA".
  4. ^ "DJ Cleo's Biography". last.fm. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  5. ^ "DJ Cleo". TVSA. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Home".
  7. ^ Vomo, Munya. "Beauty and the motorbike…". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 February 2013.
  8. ^ Moloi, Karabo (20 February 2013). "DJ Cleo to present his first show on SABC1!". Soweto Life Magazine.
  9. ^ "SAMA 2008: All the Winners!".
  10. ^ a b "The 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards winners list". Times LIVE. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  11. ^ "The 2012 SAMA awards winners". 2 May 2012.
  12. ^ "Sama awards honour those behind the scenes". 11 May 2013.
  13. ^ Shumba, Ano (2 December 2021). "Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards 2021: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

External links[edit]

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