DJ CLEO ....is there anyone in South Africa who doesn't know him? Well, DJ Cleo is one of the best House and kwaito DJ's in SA and he's the owner of independent record label, Will of Steel.
Cleo seems to have developed more "confidence/arrogance" in recent times as you will read from this chat but ke I still dig him anyway and that's why you are reading this....
The following statement was taken from his website, www.willofsteel.co.za and it would be interesting to hear what all you house fans have to say about it.
"It is not an overstatement to declare that DJ Cleo is the benchmark against which everyone else is measured as far as House music here is concerned and the talented Superstar takes this ordainment very seriously."
I don't like house music but I love Cleo's music because it's not that "deep house" nonsense, it's music I can actually sing along to and enjoy.
Enough about my thoughts, here's what Cleopas Monyepao had to say.....
Brown Shuga: A lot has been said and written about you, how would you define DJ Cleo in one word?
DJ Cleo: Extremely talented and strong enough to outrun all these playa-haters.................oh *bleep!*, u said one word. Here goes..."indomitable"!
BS: Ok Indomitable, where did all begin for you?
Cleo: It all began when i first made my toy guitar in 1988 using an old oil tin can.
BS: And have you always wanted to be a DJ?
Cleo: No, until i discovered it in 1996, the art was then reinforced by the inception of Yfm in 1997 and i was exposed to more house music and dj's.
BS: Okay. What do you think has been the biggest contributor in making you the successful "brand" (sorry Cassandra) that you are today?
Cleo: Just understanding that i can be a brand, I focused on it and my talent. I also studied the industry extensively when i was still in high school.
BS: And given a chance, is there anything about your career/life you would change?
Cleo: I would change the rate at which people pirate our music, as for my life, it's fine the way it is.
BS: How important is it for you to be nominated for any award?
Cleo: It was at first until i found myself 5 years, 10 hits and 2 hit albums into the music industry with no award or certificate, then I gave up. Only when I had given up did the awards start flying my way.
BS: Do you think the Channel O Music Video Awards mean much to South Africans?
Cleo: Of course! Especially to me coz that my 1st award ever, ever, ever in 2006!
BS: So have you been any canvassing to get fans voting for you in the awards?
Cleo: None whatsoever, i never have. It feels so good when u win knowing that u put no effort into it, but the effort u put in was in the creation of the music.
BS: Nice. Now, you have been quite a tabloid regular in recent weeks. What do you think made you so popular with them all of a sudden?
Cleo: More hits more problems. I'm successful.....very. Many get paid to write bad *bleep!* about me by my peers who can't make as good music. Also, when u make a lot of money at an early age and don't suck-up to anyone to succeed, these kinda things happen.
But...what these idiots don't realise is that, they cant destabilise me with their stories. They can't take away my talents either, people dance and buy my music, not my reputation.
BS: Wow...that's interesting. Now moving on, some of us felt the “dog” article that made headlines was just purely vindictive and had no basis whatsoever. What were your thoughts on it?
Cleo: Exactly that, I love girls and they love me too, im the most wanted baby father! LOL
BS: Umm...okay! So did you really have a fight with Mavo just becoz he used your perfume???
Cleo: My parents raised me well. You want something..u ask. He had no right going into my bedroom, he was my artist not friend or brother........and now he's history.
BS: Hahahah so Arthur yena? Will you ever forgive him for what he did do to you? (Stealing his song)
Cleo: Never, he's a disgrace to us black people. He's a nincompoop.
(okay, I had to google that word)
BS: In your own words, why did you and Brickz split?
Cleo: His contract lapsed, that's it! Everything else he says was purely coz he was bitter that he squandered all his wealth.
BS: How did the song “How Low Can You Go” come about?
Cleo: Kabelo has always bugged me abt working with me and when the chance came he grabbed it, besides, we get along very well.
BS: Brilliant song by the way.
DJ Cleo: Thank you so much, that's what I do for a living, force accolades out of people and make'em dance.
BS: Jerr, wa phapha hle, you didn't need to force that outta me, I meant it! So what do you think of Nigeria's P Square?
Cleo:I think they rock, i would definitely not mind working with them.
BS: I'm sure the product would be "indomitable". All the best for the awards broer!!
Cleo: Thank u! These awards also give other up and coming musicians across africa something to work towards, so big-up to Channel O!
.....Ja noh, that was DJ Cleo for you and I'm speechless.
If you would like to vote for him in the Best Dance Video category for the Channel O MVA's then visit the Channel O website www.channelo.tv