Showbiz Reporter
DJ Cleo has ended his two-year music hiatus with the release of his 10th album this week. The release of Eskhaleni 10 – Back 2 Basics would have caught some of his fans by surprise after the Ndiya hit-maker announced in 2013 that he was quitting music to pursue a career as a professional footballer.

DJ Cleo, real name Cleopas Monyepao, tried his luck at Absa Premier Soccer League side BidVest United but was not offered a contract as a goalkeeper.

In January this year, Cleo returned to studio. He released a single, The One with Generations: The Legacy actress Letoya Mangezi in June, while announcing himself as the saviour of South African dance music. A music video for the song was recorded during that period and played on various music channels.

He said: “Yes, I’ve returned to the music industry after realising that the dance scene has gone a little bit quiet, but most importantly by popular demand.”

The 35-year-old musician has been busy marketing his new album which features promising tracks like Khuluma Baba, Lalavuka, Love At First Sight and Dance Issues. DJ Cleo last produced an album in 2013 with the release of Eskhaleni 9 which had two CDs. It featured hit tracks, Shaya and Mbizo Rocker.

His 2014 announcement of his decision to leave the music business had shocked many fans who were negative about his football career. While they seemed not to understand why he had reached such a decision, preferring the pitch over the golden microphone, Cleo was happy to have followed his dream.

“I did it because I wanted to. I was doing it for me, no one else. I did it. I now know a lot of soccer players because I’ve either conceded a goal to them, or I’ve stopped their shots,” the DJ told Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu on 3 Talk.He added that he experienced a lot of things that he never thought he would.

“You hear a lot of things about the football industry and its politics . . . I got to experience those things in person and I’d to deal with injuries as well.”

With no income generated from CD sales or performances, DJ Cleo discovered it was a tough world out there and advised fellow musicians to invest their hard-earned cash wisely for rainy days. “For the past 18 months I’ve been depending on income generated from the properties I own and rent out. I urge other artists to do the same and never waste money on cars, booze and women,” Cleo told Sunday World in June this year.

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