My fondest memory of this gentleman was at the DJ Academy record store Bring Tha Noize where his involvement was quite crucial in the managing of the store. This became more than just a business but a spot where one could learn about the music industry and meet essential contacts within it.
DJ Lemonka was not only a manager by day but also a DJ by night mixing and mashing dope beats at well known Joburg’s hot culture hubs such as Horror Café, Carfax just to name a few. He also showcased his talents on YFMs Harambe and Motsweding FM’s hip hop show naming just a few of his involvement and his true versatility.
Lemonka, whose real name is Edgar, Makgeledise, is a proud product of the North West, Motswako fraternity in Itsoseng where, as a youngster, his love for hip hop was nurtured. He then decided that he too should go dig for his part of the gold joining the everyday miners and made his way down to J town. Alongside his partner he ran Funktabulous, a company involved in developing talent which they took to the DJ Academy.
Lemonka then stretched his reach and became SA’s heavyweight hip hop artist, HHP’s full time DJ and right hand man. And the results of that partnership? Well HHP’s achievements speak for themselves!
Now this man takes my breath away because his versatility is astounding and I don’t even think a paragraph in a blog can execute justice to his capabilities and work but I can try painting a picture to illustrate just how talented Monx is.
He holds a qualification in Sound engineering from The Campus of performing Arts (COPA) attesting to the fact that music forms a part of his bone marrow hence he lives and breathes his art. He promoted and marketed HHp’s company Lekoko Entertainment’s artists and handled the clothing merchandise.
10111 is one of the joints that appeared on DJ Lemonka’s debut hip hop mix tape titled Lemonka presents Motswakotape which he released through his own entertainment company, 3rd Element Entertainment. The inspiration behind 3rd Element? “Is to nurture and give its artists the opportunity to exhibit their skills without having the added pressure of making the suits happy.” Now these are not just words to make one look good as most individuals do in the entertainment game but Lemonka is a true testament to this as it is etched in his heart and you see it by his actions, and many Motswako artists can be evidence of this. According to dj Lemonka “ This will be a platform for unsigned artists to share the stage with well-known artists like Hip Hop Pantsula, Towdee and Khuli (from Morafe), Tuks, and Hakeem (from Ba4za), to name but a few. It’s really hard for unsigned artists to get into this industry and I’m just giving them this opportunity as a stepping-stone to giving their career a head start. Think of it as a professional demo,”
He also went on to add that. “I hope that these artists will use this as a tool to empower themselves to release their own projects in the future or to get record deals from major record companies.”
If you have never had the chance to listen to this mix tape you are truly missing out on local talent at its best because the lyricist’s in this tape are fresh and their talent is bursting at the seams and they dish it out in wholesome helpings.
It was this mix tape that went on to receive the Hype award for best mix tape.
DJ Lemonka is currently in studio working on the finishing touches to his Motswako tape 2 which is due for release November 2010. The first single has already dropped on the airwaves and you might have smelt a whiff of the heat the joint produces on 99.2 it’s called Hot and features none other than Jabba man onketsang “HHP’.
Lemonka is a true tribute to the fact that success does not come wrapped in a gift box but rather that one has to see their dream, believe in it and continues to work hard at it. It may not be easy but if you know it and can smell it, then your goal is in reach as long as you don’t give up during the hard times.
