A fresh movement is taking shape in Lesotho’s music scene, led by a group of young artists determined to reconnect hip-hop with Basotho identity and everyday reality.
The group, known as Maja ka Thata, was formed in September this year and has already begun drawing significant attention from local listeners and even South African creatives through their powerful Sesotho-driven rap performances shared on social media.
The group was founded by Kopano Mphunyetsane, popularly known as Reghar Lso, who traces his musical journey back to his early days in Ha Seleso. Like many young artists in the country, he began rapping and singing in English, experimenting with freestyle sessions and studio recordings.
However, he soon noticed that using English created a barrier between him and his listeners, who struggled to connect deeply with his message.
In an interview with Newsday, he explained that the turning point came when he realised that music is most impactful when it speaks directly to the people it is made for.
“I saw that if the music is not in our home language, people do not really feel it. So I decided to express myself in Sesotho because it is who we are,” he said.
From this realisation grew the idea of forming a group of artists who would not only record music together but also inspire each other, push creatively, and build something rooted in Lesotho’s cultural identity.
He envisioned a team made up of serious, committed individuals who viewed music as a craft, not just entertainment.
“In music, we do not need motivation, we need drive,” he emphasised.
Responding to a public call he made on social media, several artists reached out, leading to the formation of Maja ka Thata.
The group now consists of Reghar, the founder and lead artist; Matlotlo Masitha, known as Reflex Nats, a rapper celebrated for his futuristic lyrical delivery; Nthoantso Kubutu known as Darlest Tee, initially known for English rap but later surprising the group with powerful Sesotho verses; Kopano Lipholo, known as Kaip, a rapper with a distinct voice and bilingual versatility; and Busa Hlalele, the producer and sound engineer responsible for shaping the group’s musical identity.
Reghar recalls already knowing Reflex Nats from studio sessions and admiring his passion and vision. His introduction to Darlest Tee came with hesitation, as Darlest was known mostly for English rap.
However, once they began recording together, Darlest delivered Sesotho verses with intensity and fire, blending seamlessly into the group’s identity. Kaip joined after a conversation in which Reghar recognised the strength and uniqueness of his voice.
Initially, the group grappled with balancing English and Sesotho rap styles. But rather than forcing uniformity, they allowed the music to guide them, and the natural blend of languages became one of their defining strengths.
To introduce themselves to the masses, Maja ka Thata chose a distinctive approach, releasing video episodes structured as performance cyphers instead of immediately dropping singles or albums. Their first episode, shared mainly on TikTok, gained rapid traction after being promoted by Strictly Lesotho Music, a digital platform dedicated to showcasing local talent.
The episode received impressive engagement, even catching the attention of South African celebrities who expressed interest in their work.
So far, the group has released two episodes and is preparing to drop Episode 3 soon. Their plan is to produce eight episodes in total before officially releasing music projects such as singles, EPs, and albums.
Despite their early success, the group acknowledges the challenges faced by musicians in Lesotho, including limited platforms for selling music, financial constraints, and a lack of sustainable industry support.
They remain optimistic and grateful for the support they have received so far, particularly from Vision Marketing Agency for filming their work and Strictly Lesotho Music for helping them reach a wider audience.
Going forward, Maja ka Thata envisions significant growth over the next two years, releasing more music, performing on bigger stages, and representing Sesotho hip-hop on regional platforms.
One of their immediate aspirations is to perform at Sesotho Fashioneng this December, an event that aligns closely with their identity and artistic message.
The group’s motto captures their spirit and purpose: “Maja ka thata, Maja samo, Maja sohle sao thala ka hara sebae sa ‘mino.”
Summary
- A fresh movement is taking shape in Lesotho’s music scene, led by a group of young artists determined to reconnect hip-hop with Basotho identity and everyday reality.
- In an interview with Newsday, he explained that the turning point came when he realised that music is most impactful when it speaks directly to the people it is made for.
- They remain optimistic and grateful for the support they have received so far, particularly from Vision Marketing Agency for filming their work and Strictly Lesotho Music for helping them reach a wider audience.
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