Esti

Esti launched her career by answering an ad in the Eastern Province Herald in South Africa calling for local singers to audition for a performance at the SABC Music Festival, where artists like Mandoza, Heinz Winckler and Danny K were on the bill. Suffice to say, she nailed the audition and was given a platform to showcase her vocal capabilities.It was at this 2003 concert where Esti was spotted by Lyndi Gillespie from Mandoza's management company, In Time, who introduced her to ingenious local music composer and producer, Gabi le Roux. With perseverance, Esti was soon in the studio with Le Roux.Blessed (Signor Jackass Mix), featuring the Abaqondisi Brothers, was the first track born from their collaborated efforts. At this stage, the pair were unsure whether the song would work. It did. Soon they busied themselves with putting together an album, which was taken to Midem - a place where record companies across the globe come together - in London. This is where EMI signed on Esti. In the debut 12-track album, Esti takes an unconventional - bordering on risky, some might say - approach with the blending of musical genres like dance, R&B and African traditional.