| Tsidii | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tsidii |
| Origin | Southern Africa (Lesotho) |
| Genres | World/Soul/Latin/Pop/Rock/Spiritual |
| Occupations | Vocalist/Composer /Speaker / Writer / Producer |
| Labels | Birdwalk International |
| Associated acts | various including The Lion King and Riverdance on Broadway |
| Notable instruments | |
| Voice | |
Tsidii Le Loka (Lesotho, April 3)is an actress, vocalist, and composer originally from South Africa and The Kingdom of Lesotho. She is best known for creating the role of Rafiki in the original Broadway production of Disney's stage musical, The Lion King.
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Prior to coming to the United States, The Star Newspaper named Tsidii, at the age of 18, one of the most promising artists in South Africa. Her concert career performances, festivals, international tours, and recordings include a roster of world-class stars such as Sting, Elton John, Madonna, Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Dionne Warwick, Youssou N'Dour, Roberta Flack, Max Roach and especially Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Tsidii collaborated and performed as a guest star in various productions including "Riverdance" on Broadway, in which she shared the stage with Irish star Brian Kennedy; and in "Canciones Antes una Guerra / Songs Before the War" (Maria Pages' Flamenco Company ) which toured Spain and Italy and won best show of the Seville Bi-Centinial Flamenco Festival (XIII Bienal De Flamenco de Sevilla). With the invitation of her now-deceased mentor Anneline Malebo (former lead singer of "South Africa's Supremes", the female trio JOY), Tsidii started her career as a member of the newly formed top South African Trio named "Shadiii" with Anneline Malebo and Faith Kekana..
In 1998, Tsidii originated the role of Rafiki in the first Broadway cast of The Lion King, produced by Disney and directed by Julie Taymor. For her performance, Tsidii received the Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical, and garnered a Tony Award nomination as well. Tsidii was the only performer in The Lion King to be also involved in the creative process of the musical. Her composition, "Rafiki Mourns", is included in the Grammy Award-winning album of The Lion King. She has also been awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for International Achievement in Musical Theatre from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters (the first woman of Southern African original to receive this award). Tsidii won the highest number of top industry awards than any performer in the musical (The Lion King); and was the only lead performer in the original cast born in Africa in what critic Frank Langford calls “one of the most impressive debut in Broadway history”.
Tsidii's film and TV credits includes lead roles in two Stephen King made-for-television movies, Rose Red and The Diary Of Ellen Rimbauer (Stephen King and Ridley Pearson), and Law And Order. Her television special "Caught In The Act" on WGBY won the Iris Award for best local program. The television special Tsidii Le Loka In Concert aired on TBS and was re-aired several times by popular demand. She was the only performer invited to perform at Dr Nelson Mandela's first International Press Conference in Johannesburg after his release from prison. Tsidii holds two degrees: a BA in Economics and a BA in Music (both Magna Cum Laude / honors from The University Of Massachusetts, Amherst)and a Diploma in Speech and Drama from The Trinity College of Music, London.
On her maternal side Tsidii is a South African princess as she is a descendant of Langalibalele a 19th century amaHlubi king.[1]
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