Melodscape

Maseru- Lesotho’s music scene has crowned a new queen, and her name is April Mahase. The 4th annual edition of the Lesotho Music Awards (LMAs) saw the rise of this vibrant and dynamic artist, whose journey to winning the “Best Female Artist” award is a story of resilience, self- discovery and unmatched talent.

From Listener To Creator Unlike many artists, music was not always part of April’s plan. “I have always loved listening to music, but creating it came as a complete surprise,” she admits. Her journey began unexpectedly during a Sprite photoshoot, where her friend Yemba Shungu suggested they try recording together. The result was her first single, “Rap Queen”, a powerful track that remains her most cherished creation to date.

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Rap Queen introduced April as a fierce new voice in the Lesotho music scene, inspired by her idol Nicki Minaj. “Nicki showed me how elegant women can be in rap and I have always admired her confidence and charisma,” says April.

Her second release, “Monna A Spanang”, marked a significant turning point. Encouraged by Yemba to rap in Sesotho, the song resonated deeply with local audiences and the song did so well it caught the attention of one of Lesotho’s most influential artist and the 3 time LMA winner, Sannere. “It is actually Sannere’s favourite song of mine, which is such an honor considering how big he is,” she shares.

Winning The Award

For April, winning the Best Female Artist award was both thrilling and humbling. “The LMAs are a household name in Lesotho, and being recognized as the best female artist shows how much people genuinely love my music,” she says.

The moment her name was announced remains unforgettable. “I was on stage with Tinah, the presenter for the category, and when my name was called, I was so exited I grabbed the award without even giving her a hug,” April laughs. “I started rapping right there on stage!”

While she initially hoped to win the “Best Collaboration/Duo” category considering how challenging it was, the recognition as the country’s top female artist was a dream come true. “Knowing people voted for me, spending their time and hard-earned money is humbling. It makes me want to create even more music.”

Music And The Creative Process

April’s music is a blend of personal storytelling and creative exploration. Her hit Monna A Spanang was inspired by her admiration for hardworking men. “This song is my tribute to every man who wakes up and works hard every day. May God bless them,” she says, adding that working with Yemba Shungu has been pivotal to her growth. “He is a perfectionist, and while that can be challenging, it pushes me to deliver quality. His constructive criticism has shaped my sound.”

What sets April apart is her versatility, unique voice and undeniable star power. “I am one of the new-age female rappers in Lesotho, and my character, good looks and creativity make me stand out. I am built different,” she asserts confidently.

Recognition and Industry Views

Winning the award marked a full-circle moment for April, who once faced public scrutiny. “When I started, I believe people disliked me because of a Twitter incident involving South African artist, L-Tido. The insults were overwhelming, but this award shows how much the narrative has changed.”

April credits the LMAs for helping her establish a strong presence in the industry. She also advocates for more diversity in Lesotho’s music scene. “We need to appreciate the variety of talent we have. I love that Lesotho now has its own identity with this new age Ts’epe sound , similar to Nigeria’s Afrobeats and South Africa’s Amapiano.”

Reflections and Future Aspirations

As April looks to the future, her aspirations are bold and unapologetic. “In the next 3-5 years, I see myself performing internationally- maybe even on stages in Ibiza,” she says with determination. She dreams of collaborating with artists like Sannere, Omali Themba and Wave Rhyder. “I can only imagine how amazing those tracks would be.”

Her advice to aspiring artists is simple: “stay true to yourself and invest in your craft.”

A Heartfelt Thank You

April credits her success to those who have supported her along the way. “Thank you to Yemba Shungu, who believed in me from the start, my mom, who prays for me and keeps me grounded. Most importantly, thank you to God for all my gifts and for guiding me through every challenge.”

At the end of her career, April envisions a legendary legacy that she wants to leave behind, “I want to be remembered as the girl who overcame challenges, made mistakes, and kept going. I want to be remembered as someone who did everything they could, even in the spotlight.”

With her undeniable talent and unwavering determination, April Mahase is not just Lesotho’s Best Female Artist- she is a force to be reckoned with.

Photo credits: LMA

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