DJ Cleo explained

DJ Cleo
Landscape:	yes
Birth Name:	Tlou Cleopas Monyepao
Alias:	M.R. Es'Khaleni
Birth Date:	1980 1, df=y
Birth Place:	Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa
Origin:	Johannesburg
Years Active:	2002–present
Label:	Will of Steel Productions
Associated Acts:	MzekezekeDJ SbuBrown DashBrickz Pitch Black Afro DJ What WhatMmatema MoremiBusi Radebe DJ ChoiceDr Malinga

Tlou Cleopas Monyepao (born January 17, 1980), professionally known as DJ Cleo, is a South African Kwaito, House music and Hip hop producer. He was born in Gauteng.^[1] DJ Cleo has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in the South African music industry, he produced successful singles and albums for various artists before going on to produce and release his debut album "Es'khaleni" in 2004. His 2012 Single "Facebook" earned him three awards at 18th SAMA. His eleventh album Eskhaleni 11 (2019), which include single "Yile Gqom" and Yile Piano, Vol. 1 (2019).

Life and career

Early life

Tlou Cleopas Monyepao was born in Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa.^[2] Monyepao attended Springs Boys High School.With help of Hilde Buhr he developed his creativity reconnection so he started making music.

Career

He began his career as a producer of the Unrestricted Breakfast Show hosted by DJ Fresh on YFM.^[3] Cleo found himself enjoying producing for radio and soon started exploring producing music for himself and others.

His debut recording was "Will of Steel", which featured on DJ Glen Lewis/DJ Fresh's "Gatecrasher double CD compilation.^{[4] [5]} He remixed Bucy Rhadebe single "Uzugcin’ Impilo Yam", originally released in 2020.^[6]

Television

He was a producer of the e.tv soapie Rhythm City (TV series). In 2013, he was the co-host alongside Angie Khumalo of documentary reality show Vaya Mzansi season 1 on SABC 1.^{[7] [8]} Cleo competed on Lip Sync Battle Africa - Season 2. He performed live on Idols South Africa - Season 17.

Discography

Studio albums

• Es'khaleni (2004)
• Es'khaleni Ext. 2 (2005)
• Es'khaleni Zone 3
• Es'khaleni Phase 4 (2007)
• Es'khaleni Unit 5 (2008)
• Es'khaleni 6 (2009)
• Es'khaleni 7 (2010)
• Cassanova Vol. 1 (2011)
• Es'khaleni Ext.2 (2013)
• Disclosure (2014)
• Es'khaleni 11 (2019)
• Yile Piano, Vol. 1 (2021)

Awards and nominations

Year	Award ceremony	Prize	Work/Recipient	Result
2008	14th SAMA	Urban Dance	Es'khaleni Phase 4		^[9]
	MTV Africa Music Awards 2008	Best Male Artist of the Year
2012	18th SAMA	Best-Selling True-Tone Download of the Year	"Facebook"		^[10] ^[11]
		Best-Selling Ring-Tone			^[12]
		MTN Best-Selling Mobile Music Download
2021	Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards	Best DJ			^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cleopas Monyeapao. Discogs. 5 November 2016.
2. Web site: DJ Cleo: Everything about him will leave you in awe. 18 June 2020.
3. Web site: DJ Cleo | TVSA.
4. Web site: DJ Cleo's Biography. last.fm. 1 November 2016.
5. Web site: DJ Cleo. TVSA. 1 November 2016.
6. Web site: Home.
7. Web site: Beauty and the motorbike… . Munya. Vomo. February 21, 2013. Independent Online.
8. Web site: DJ Cleo to present his first show on SABC1!. February 20, 2013 . Karabo. Moloi. Soweto Life Magazine.
9. Web site: SAMA 2008: All the Winners!.
10. Web site: The 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards winners list. https://web.archive.org/web/20120502011020/http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/2012/05/01/the-18th-annual-mtn-south-african-music-awards-winners-list. dead. 2 May 2012. Times LIVE. 5 November 2016.
11. Web site: The 2012 SAMA awards winners. 2 May 2012.
12. Web site: Sama awards honour those behind the scenes. 11 May 2013.
13. Web site: Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards 2021: All the winners Music In Africa . Music In Africa. 2021-12-09. 2021-12-02. Ano. Shumba.