Teen releases video to popular single
Although he never got the desired response from the mystery girl to whom his debut single Nontsikelelo was dedicated, former Idols SA contestant Loyiso Gijana, 19, is more than pleased with the single’s newly released official video.
In fact, Gijana, who hails from Uitenhage, received no response at all from the girl he wrote the song for – and sent it to – with no plans to record and release it.
But the music video, released on February 15, has been well-received by the young singer’s fans, who have eagerly awaited it since the single was released in 2018.
“It’s the best feeling to see the video come to life and I love how well the actors have told the story,” Gijana said.
Nontsikelelo is Gijana’s ode to an ex-girlfriend whom he missed after their relationship ended.
Although the story concept in the video was his idea, he credits director Shae for bringing it to life.
A week after its release,
Nontsikelelo had been streamed more than 12,000 times on YouTube.
This is the singer’s first original solo single since he shot to fame when he was among the top five contestants on Idols SA season 11 at the age of just 16.
After his exit from the show, Gijana kept his fans on the edge of their seats by recording moving covers of some of SA’s favourite hits including Mlindo’s Amablesser.
He was signed by Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2018, after which he moved to Johannesburg and later released
Nontsikelelo.
A second single and a full album are in the works, he said.
Gijana also intends to return to his studies, but that’s a plan for 2020.
“I won’t be returning to study what I was studying though. I am hoping to study marketing or business management,” he said.
Gijana was studying towards a Bachelor of Education at Varsity College but dropped out and followed his passion when Ambitiouz Entertainment opened its doors for him.
Nontsikelelo is available on digital music platforms iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Deezer.