@Mathipa Phishego
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A recently interview had revealed an upcoming music artist by the name of Anthony Shai, also known as Aclilento.
Antony Shai is from Atok Ga-Selepe, an upcoming Amapiano artist, he goes by Acilento. He is into music as a songwriter and singer. He started this journey in 2018 with Untouchable Crew, he said that he was introduced to the crew by Tormented de thug and Dr P. Further stated that he is a hard worker and a believer, knowing that he is a star and will soon shine.Him working at Letsaka Studios was a blessing, he wanted to be their graphic designer but they had more for him that made things even more awesome. He thinks that he did well there and also learned a lot. While he was enjoying his stay at Letsaka Studios, unfortunately had to leave them earlier this year to further his studies for a Teaching qualification.
Acilento was born an entertainer, he loved music from early age and used to be a dancer. He said he was inspired by Dj Cleo by attaining song of the year 2 times in a raw, and those were the moments he saw potential and a role model to be like. He had the best feeling ever, as if he known him. "That's the feeling i want to give people around me" he said.
Anthony Shai further answered that he has production difficulties, beacuse their recording studio is back at home and he's not there full time, sometimes he wishes to work and find it impossible beacuse of the distance. When looking for studios around to work at around where he's currently based, they want him to pay. They are not wrong in anyway just that he doesn't have money, so he ends up waiting until heading back home so that he can work.
He commented on the Covid-19 devastating moment for artists. "Honestly speaking Covid-19 didn't do much damage to me, though it's disturbing my development" he said. His recent release is Emathandweni, on the track he featured Leon lee and Jay cash and it was produced by Black T, he loves it and it has been doing very well and people showed love to it. And he promise to give people more of what they love, as he will soon be realising a single track Featuring Team Delela called Mbuwa, it's one of his favorite projects.
Acilento is looking forward to work with Dj Obza before this year ends, he believes they could make a hit. He would also love to hear his music playing on almost every radio station in Mzansi, and also perform one of his songs at Rhythm City or Skeem Saam, maybe in 2 years time have his own record label and managing artists, "especially di star txa kasi is my long term goal", he added.
He thinks a lot should change in the entertainment industry, but mostly radio stations should change the mentality that all artists have money to pay PRs for pluggings. He says that he once submitted one of his tracks at a certain radio station via email also requested an interview, again managed to get in contact with them and talked to them via call he bagged them an interview, but they said he needs to have a PR which is gonna talk to them on his behalf. That hurt him as he recalled on how much PR's charge for pluggings, is way too much to a child coming from a striving family. "But giving up is not an option" he concluded.
