In Conversation with Ntsikelelo “Lelo” Meslani aka Lelowhatsgood
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Ntsikelelo “Lelo” Meslani, professionally known as Lelowhatsgood, is a Johannesburg-based, award-nominated DJ, producer, writer, and cultural curator. Since 2017, he has electrified local and international stages, including Boiler Room, Afropunk, Tresor Berlin, and Ultra Music Festival, with his genre-blending sets of House, Gqom, Afro Tech, Ballroom, and Baile Funk. His debut EP, Next Level, earned him a South African Music Award nomination for Best Gqom Album in 2025, and he has collaborated with artists like Babes Wodumo, DBN Gogo, and Moonchild Sanelly.
Beyond music, Lelo is a writer and cultural advocate, contributing to The New York Times, Mail & Guardian, Hunger Magazine, and more. He is the founder of VNJ Ball, an inclusive ballroom movement championing LGBTQI+ voices, art, fashion, and dance. Known for fusing beats with activism, Lelowhatsgood continues to amplify queer voices and shape South Africa’s cultural and nightlife landscape.
Beyond music, Lelo is a writer and cultural advocate, contributing to The New York Times, Mail & Guardian, Hunger Magazine, and more. He is the founder of VNJ Ball, an inclusive ballroom movement championing LGBTQI+ voices, art, fashion, and dance. Known for fusing beats with activism, Lelowhatsgood continues to amplify queer voices and shape South Africa’s cultural and nightlife landscape.
