Loyiso Gijana, known professionally as Lloyiso, is a prominent South African pop and Afropop singer-songwriter. He gained national attention as a top 5 contestant on Idols SA in 2015 and has since built a successful international career, becoming the first South African artist to sign with the major U.S. label Republic Records.

Key Details

• Full Name: Loyiso Gijana.
• Stage Name: Lloyiso (he added an extra ‘L’ to avoid confusion with established artist Loyiso Bala).
• Born: March 8, 1999 (age 26).
• Hometown: Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• Genres: Afropop, pop, soul. 

Career 

• Idols SA: At just 16 years old, Lloyiso made it to the Top 5 of Idols SA season 11, where his cover of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” made him a fan favourite.
• International Recognition: After building a large following on social media, particularly TikTok, with viral covers of songs by artists like Rihanna, Billie Eilish, and Lewis Capaldi, he was signed to Republic Records in 2021.
• Major Performances: His career highlights include performing at the wedding of Brooklyn Beckham (David Beckham’s son) and collaborating with international acts like Clean Bandit and Martin Garrix. He has also had a billboard in New York’s Times Square.
• Awards: His debut EP, Seasons (released in March 2023), earned him a South African Music Award (SAMA) for ‘Best Pop Album’. The EP achieved five-times platinum status.

Musical Style

Lloyiso’s music is known for its vulnerable and emotional storytelling, blending pop and Afropop with soulful vocals. He writes music he feels “is needed by the world,” focusing on authenticity and personal experience.