Sir LSG Lesego – The amalgamated artist

BY DAVE RANKIN

I was first introduced to our Classic Man through my interactions with Chinedu Shanae Egwueny. She is the Creator of Urban Communications Group, a promotion project for brands that need a little creative edge.

She was hosting an event with Ralf GUM, a formidable DJ and producer, as well as owner of GOGO Music. I have a lot of respect for Ralf. He has contributed a great deal to the Afro & Soulful House music scene, so because of this, I reached out to her to cover the event. Wouldn’t you know it; the event didn’t end up happening.

That was not my last time working with Chinedu. We ended up speaking again, and she let me know that she would be bringing Ralf GUM back to Canada. During our discussion, I found out that she also linked with Dams from DRUMS Radio.

DRUMS Radio is the #1 global Afro House Radio station, streaming out of the UK.

We all got on a call, and they ended up asking me if I would mind doing an interview with Ralf and a Sir LSG.

I went through my library, and I found one of his songs. I believe it was a remix. I have to admit, he did good work, and so I continued to research his music. When I saw his body of work I was blown away. I arranged an interview right away.

The day that we were supposed to do our initial interview, he ended up being in the hospital. This man sent me a picture from the hospital, and let me know that if I still wanted to do the interview, he would do it. You don’t come across dedication like that too often.

Since then, our relationship has developed. I remember that last year around this time, he came to Toronto to play at an event. The funny thing, but maybe not too funny, is that he touched down on one of the coldest days of the year. We were able to meet in person, and I was able to learn about this laid back genius.

If you are a fan of Afro & Soulful House music, then you are familiar with our Classic Man Sir LSG Lesego. He has done remixes for: The Muffinz, UPZ aka Avi Elman, his good friend Ralf GUM, Andy Compton, Nathan Adams, and MAQman.

One of his cultivated collaborations includes one with Brian Tempa, a legendary South African R&B singer/songwriter, and trumpeter Kafele on the song titled “All I Am.”

In 2014, Sir LSG was voted (by Traxsource), at Number 20 on the Top 100 Afro House Producers of the year, and his diligence earned him Producer of the Year Award 2018, for his 2017 Debut Album at the Dance Music South Africa Awards.

I really wanted Sir LSG to tell his story, so we spoke recently, and I learned about this incredible creative journey.

“I have always been a fan of house music,” he began. “Before high school, I was a fan.

Afro House CD compilations were released in South Africa, and that was how this genre of music was introduced to me.

I began my career as a DJ in 2006 while I was studying to become an electrical engineer at the University of The Witwaterstand. On weekends we would go out.
We would go to Soul Candy Record Shops and buy records. We began teaching ourselves how to play.

One thing led to another, and I started linking up with like-minded people.
In hindsight, I see how music took over. Friday after school, straight through to Sunday, all I did was music.

I failed terribly at school my second year. I was put on educational exclusion, and one of my requirements was to do something in that year that was related to my degree. I knew that I wanted to pursue music, so I sort of tricked my parents into letting me go to Soul Candy. The record store had started a music production school, so I told my parents that I would do that for a year. I knew that this was going to be my life.”

Sir LSG began to develop his style; you can say that it is an amalgamation of expressive house, with a hint of jazzy grooves.

“It was about having fun, not making it a career. It was about doing something I really enjoyed. I wanted to be producing music that would be released by certain labels. I had the sound in my head that I wanted to release.

I got a lot of rejections. I would hit up labels everyday, and more often than not, I would not even get a response. The replies would be disheartening, but this is part of the journey. It was a good exercise for me. I never gave up on the dream.

I am sure I was annoying, but there was this one song that I did that I thought was special. I sent it to a lot of people. One of my favourite producers told me that it was not Afro enough for him. This man is Ralf GUM.

I began working with him, and we produced “Sax In The City.” It was released in 2011. I was also armed with remix work, but the single became an instant favourite in the Afro House Community. I would say it was that song that levelled me up. Other labels began to notice me, and it took off from there.

There have been a lot of great moments in my career, and one I want to mention is in 2008 at the Southern African Music Conference. This is when I met my mentor DJ Christos. He has been an inspiration to me.

It has always been a slow growth for me. I was never just a musician. I started working for a TV production company (Don’t Look Down Productions) in 2010. I have always maintained my balance because I had a full time job that paid the bills, and I could still do what I love.”

In the meantime, between times, Sir LSG has been working on a new project that he will be releasing in 2021. Also, in April of 2020, he started an online show called Bread4Soul Sessions. This is where he gets an opportunity to share his knowledge about the industry with the next generation.

“There is a huge House Music scene. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of knowledge sharing though. I get a chance to speak with artists, and learn about their journeys, their struggles. I have done 100 episodes since April, and I have been receiving some positive feedback.”

This vibrant, virtuoso continues to be a maverick in his field, and I know that we have a lot more to see from the one Sir LSG.