Lloyd Cele
Lloyd Cele, Before 2010 Lloyd Cele would never have
“My life has been completely changed since I was the runner up in Idols. It’s been a whirlwind, and I have never looked back. So many amazing opportunities have come my way, and I have been sure to grab them all with both hands!” explains Lloyd.
Long before Idols, Lloyd was always passionate about music. He was the worship director at his church and also a youth leader at Eagles Community Fellowship which equip young people to be effective in their communities. He is a self-taught musician and has learned to play the guitar, keyboard and saxophone.
Lloyd Cele’s musical background has been a huge advantage for him putting together his albums. Lloyd has written and composed around 90% of the songs on the albums, titled ‘One, 2nd album titled ‘No Limits’, his latest album “Grey Matter” and plans to continue the trend into his upcoming album as well.
Lloyd’s sound is about embracing South Africa’s diverse culture, racial groups, and musical influences and fusing them together in one album. The formula seems to have worked on his 1st album belting out hit after hit. After Idols came ‘Thanks To You’, this was followed by the much loved ‘Make It Easy’, nominated at SAMA 2012 for song of the year and led to the dance inspired hit ‘My Air’, one of summer’s biggest local hits in 2011. The next big hit was the Zulu ballad ‘Thando’ featuring Loyiso Bala, which was nominated for a 2012 SAMAs in the best collaboration category. The album scooped up the award for best pop album of 2012.
“The past 3 years been an extremely creative period were I have had the chance to travel and record in the states developing music that I am very proud of” tells Lloyd.
Songs to look out for on Lloyd’s 2nd album, “No Limits” are ‘Hero’, which carries a strong message. Other more light hearted tracks and love songs are ‘Feel The Love’ ‘Cinderella’ ‘Ngiyakhukumbula;, ‘Bambo Lwami’ and ‘She’s On Fire’.
2012 saw Lloyd receive another nod in the form of a Channel O awards nomination and in 2013 a Metro award nomination as well as 3 SAMA nominations for best Pop, best Record and best Collaboration.
“We are working hard to make a career in the music business and so far it’s been a blessing at every turn, meeting amazing people and such supportive fans”
In addition to performing and recording Lloyd has lent his well liked and recognizable name and face to organizations such as Reach For A Dream and Domestos Toilet campaign. The Domestos campaign built clean and new toilets in schools that have serious sanitation problems in Kwazulu-Natal, the province where Lloyd grew up.
Outside of music Lloyd also released an autobiography with a free acoustic CD (A Dream Of An Idol With Dreams Acoustic Album), telling his story in reaching his dreams.
Lloyd’s latest studio album, “Grey Matter” features the hit “Tonight”, that charted on radio in June/July 2014 and is the theme song used for Top Billing. Collabs on the album include Cassper Nyovest, Soweto Gospel Choir, CH2 and Brian Temba.
Off the album, Lloyd release three singles in three different languages at the same time. The Afrikaans single DANS MET MY, the Zulu single “Ngiyakudinga Mtakwethu” (Metro FM Award winner for Best RnB) and the English single “Feeling So Good”. All three of these singles saw significant airplay and success across South Africa.
2016 has seen Lloyd release two singles while completing his forthcoming album. The first of these was “Just Can’t Throw Us Away”, a James Morrison inspired soul/pop record and the latest release “Umona Phansi” that features Kwesta, that sees Lloyd enter a new musical realm and has garnered airplay across several ALS stations.
The video for “Umona Phansi” was recently shot on the streets of Soweto and will be out in July 2016.
L’loyd encourages all people to reach for their dreams and never give up. All things are truly possible!