After nearly a decade of harmony, rhythm, and soul, Origin Musiq’s lead vocalist, TONO, has officially stepped away from the band to pursue a solo career, a move that marks a major turning point in the group’s journey.
Known for its rich afro-fusion sound, Origin Musiq has been a staple in Lesotho’s music scene since 2016.
TONO’s departure follows close on the heels of fellow vocalist Mugasty, who went solo in late 2024, releasing an album that was warmly received by fans and the band alike.
While Mugasty’s exit seemed amicable and well-timed, TONO’s departure comes with an air of tension and unmet expectations. Speaking candidly in an exclusive interview, TONO opened up about the reasons behind his decision, and it goes deeper than creative differences or personal ambition.
“My primary way of making some form of financial income is through my voice,” he said. “As a band, we are made of instrumentalists and vocalists who are also songwriters and composers. For example, the guitarists could get side gigs to go play for another artist, and that’s good for them. But as a vocalist, I couldn’t do the same.”
He explained that these side gigs, while understandably necessary for individual income, often excluded the band as a whole, an issue he raised with his bandmates. He suggested that any earnings made from external gigs should be channelled through the band’s name, Origin Musiq, to maintain the collective spirit they had built. But his proposal was not received positively.
“I brought this up to the team, that when Molise, Sam, Paul, or Mosh get a side gig, the payment should be made to Origin Musiq, not directly to their pockets,” he said.
“But that idea was not welcomed.”
From its inception, Origin Musiq operated with a clear and shared mission: to commit fully to the craft and make the band their main source of livelihood. Each member had a role not only on stage but also in the management and administration of the group.
TONO says this worked well in the early years, until life inevitably began to change.
“Things changed in the last three years. As expected, we started facing new responsibilities: marriages, children, and family needs. The focus gradually shifted from the band to individual stability,” he reflected.
“Even with all this happening, I, along with Mugasty, remained consistent. We did our tasks, we showed up to rehearsals. But the rest of the guys started focusing elsewhere.”
This shift in priorities began to weigh heavily on TONO. Despite taking on more of the workload and responsibilities within the group, he saw little to no financial reward, a situation that became increasingly difficult to ignore.
“I couldn’t keep being the only one who had the band’s best interests at heart,” he said.
“It became exhausting, emotionally and financially.”
The frustrations also extended to how external income was managed. TONO pointed out that when other members contributed to projects outside the band, whether live performances or studio sessions, payments and royalties were made to them personally, not to Origin Musiq.
“Business-wise, as things stand, this is a separation,” he said.
“No one can serve two kings. I’ve always put the band before my own personal growth and financial needs. But I can’t keep doing that. It’s time to focus on me.”
“Even in studio sessions, the splitsheets for royalties are in their names, not Origin Musiq. So while the band as an entity doesn’t grow financially, the individuals do.”
Despite the departure, TONO’s relationship with the band is not completely severed. He emphasised that he is still willing to perform with the group when needed, especially since many of their songs were composed specifically for his voice.
“I’ll still show up for gigs if I’m needed,” he said. “Unless someone else can memorise and perform those songs like I do, I’m still here for the music. But moving forward, my focus is on building something that’s mine.”
Since its formation, Origin Musiq has performed on the biggest stages in Lesotho, South Africa and eSwatini, including Selemo Sa Basotho, Basotho 200 Celebration, Katse Dam Tourism Festival, Black Labone and Let’s Touch Your Soul.
Their 2023 debut album, Mabote 29, was a milestone moment with 11 tracks that captured their signature fusion of afro, jazz, soul, and traditional Sesotho rhythms. Their most recent single, “Basotho Lumelang,” released in 2024, features Kamohelo and Keizer and remains a strong cultural statement on pride and identity.
The band’s commitment to promoting Basotho heritage through music was one of its strongest selling points. But with the exit of both its lead vocalists, the future of Origin Musiq now hangs in the balance. Whether the remaining instrumentalists will regroup, rebrand, or recruit new talent remains to be seen.
For fans, the news brings a bittersweet moment: the end of an era, but possibly the start of exciting new paths for both TONO and Mugasty as solo artists. While Origin Musiq may no longer be the tightly knit unit it once was, the legacy of their music and the cultural movement they inspired is likely to continue in new forms.
As TONO embarks on this next chapter, one thing is certain: his voice, once the heart of a collective, now has the space to speak for itself.
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