13 Jan 2014

Jazz maestro, Shanti Lo has joined the My Star television talent search show, replacing DJ Sid, who left last year.

In an interview, Shanti Lo said he was excited by his new job which seemed challenging and interesting. “The most important thing for you as a judge is to be cautious with what you say to avoid criticism,” he said. He said what was interesting with his new job was that it helped discover someone’s talent in the music industry.

However, the musician was quick to point out that joining My Star did not mean that he was leaving his music career, adding that his ambition was to produce young Batswana who could be on their own in the music industry.

Born Tumediso Loeto, at only 9 years old Shanti Lo was a member of Watoto Band, a combination of Batswana and South African musicians, an initiative by his parents Clifford and gospel singer mom, Mpho Loeto.

In 2000, Shanti Lo landed a two year recording deal with Stona Records, which produced the album Koi, a mixture of the local brand of kwaito. It was also during this time that he secured government sponsorship to study Fashion Design in Johannesburg at the London International School of Fashion.

Shanti Lo and a group of young artists founded a group called Live 101, an initiative led by world renowned drummer Phillip Meintjies and his daughter, Larissa.

In 2005 the self-titled Shanti Lo was released under So Hype records that included the hits Boloi and Ditshwanelo.

The songs were used as a sound track of the film based on Alexander McCall-Smith’s No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series of novels. Ten years after the launch of his solo career, Shanti Lo released Lerato, his third album and first project since 2005.

The album, produced by world renowned guitarist John Blackie Selolwane (lead guitarist in Paul Simon’s Graceland tour and for 28 years to trumpeter Hugh Masekela), showcased Shanti Lo’s usual blend of Tswana folk music and a quintessentially Southern African blend of Afro Jazz and a new mix of soft rock. ENDS