Tracing his roots to Africa, young music prodigy Kailash
Thirteen year old Kailash, a native of the United States traces his roots back to Africa, In his upcoming Single titled Ke Mosotho, Kailash makes a reveal of his Sotho heritage.
.“My mother’s mother and father are both from Lesotho. I have been visiting Lesotho since I was a baby. I just made my last trip in May of 2024.”
Kailash is already blazing a trail in the music world. A talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, he is considered by many to be a musical prodigy. Though based in California, Kailash traces his roots directly to Africa. His middle name, Tsepo, echoes his ancestry. Kailash’s musical journey began early in his young life. He demonstrated an unmistakable affinity for sound while still a toddler. He began studying classical piano with a music teacher at the age of three, incorporating fundamentals of music theory. At
five years old, Kailash embarked on formal lessons in voice, thereby expanding his natural aptitude for expression through song. He has earned numerous accolades in piano competitions throughout the state of California.
In 2021, Kailash began performing in reggae music festivals. He joined iconic reggae legend Don Carlos in a series of appearances in shows and festivals throughout the west coast of the United States. Kailash formed his own eponymous band in 2022 and released his debut album, Across the Ocean, in 2023. Despite his young age, Kailash has worked with many accomplished reggae artists including Don Carlos,
Clinton Fearon, Ponto de Equilibrio, Kubix, Errol Brown, Jaime Hinckson, Scientist, Anthony B, Green Lion Crew, and Subatomic Sound System. In 2021, Kailash was nominated Best New Young Artist at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). Ke Mosotho marks the latest exciting installment of an already impressive
musical catalogue.
Kailash is now working on the Single ‘Ke Mosotho’ which translates to I am a Mosotho and is slated for release on September 20. He will record and perform it in Sesotho, although he is not completely fluent. With Ke Mosotho, Kailash sings in the language of his ancestors. The song is a proud declaration of his African identity, a full-throated embrace of his esteemed cultural heritage. Inspiration for the song struck during Kailash’s recent trip to Lesotho in May 2024 While staying in Hlotse, Kailash collaborated on the lyrics of Ke Mosotho with his uncle, author and poet, Ntate Mpho Lekena. Afterward, Kailash developed the musical arrangements that bring the song to life.
Back in California, Kailash recorded vocal tracks, keyboard, and percussion. The other artists on the track include Grammy-Award winning Kubix on guitar, Troy Simms on saxophone, Jeremy Redd Lion Gray on drums, and Spliff McQueen on bass. In a development sure to excite the ears of reggae lovers across the world, Ke Mosotho was engineered by Jamaican music legend, Scientist. The track will be released with an accompanying dub version. Kailash debuted the song before a live audience in August 2024 when he performed at Reggae on the River.
Kailash’s African blood flows through his mother’s side of the family. His great-grandfathers were Ntate Lekokoto Nteso of Ha Seetsa and Ntate Ra Maurice Manyeli of Mokhokhong. His grandparents, Ntate Tsepo Nteso and Dr. Jane Mookho Manyeli emigrated from Lesotho to the United States and established a foothold in California, where Kailash and his immediate family currently live.
“My mother’s mother’s side of the family are Manyeli and my mother’s father’s side are Nteso. They grew up in Hlotse. We stay in Hlotse when we visit. We also have some family up at Ha’seetsa that we always see when we visit. My grandparents came to the U.S. to study but always remained connected to their roots.” ~ Kailash.