Conversation and Fashion Editorial with Queer South African Recording Artist Delta the Leo
We at PatternNation met up with the ever-talented South African musician, emcee, and dancer Delta the Leo while she was visiting Cape Town from Johannesburg. After seeing Delta perform at Smoking Dragon Festival in 2019 we instantly fell in love with her music, dancing, vibe, style, and energy. Since then we have all hoped to connect again and this March it finally happened on an overcast Sunday in Deer Park in Cape Town.
PatternNation’s own Costa Besta took the photos and we teamed up with local Videographer Melissa Bolton to capture Delta’s mesmerizing dancing for the music video & fashion film for Delta’s latest track Kgae (Home) coming out soon. The vibes were felt by the whole team and the setting of the forest and mountains was rejuvenating, to say the least. We created all of the one-of-a-kind looks with Delta in mind. In these looks, we experimented with locally sourced prints and we (Cyd and Costa) sewed up all of the designs at our in-home studio in Cape Town. It was such a pleasure to collaborate with Delta the Leo who is full of energy, inspiration, and style. To learn more about this groundbreaking queer South African artist we asked her some questions about her music, inspirations, and lifestyle.
What was the motive behind coming to Cape Town and how was the trip for you?
I’m a spiritual being, and I just felt a deep sense of coming to the ocean for calmness as my name means a state of tranquility. A sense of finding a space that connects with the more spiritual sound that you can hear in the song that has 3 artists from Africa Producer Vava and Ruben from Congo and Angola.
What did you enjoy about collaborating with the Pattern Nation Duo?
I enjoyed the professionalism, their attention to detail as well as sharing their designs while keeping in mind my fashion sense. The duo is talented and very welcoming, my first visit I was offered a meal in these trying times it's hard to find people who break bread and even take the interest to help you on the journey. They are a rainbow and I wish to work with them on more projects to come. They boosted my confidence and belief in my craft - I felt really honored. GOOD PEOPLE.
Fitness and health are a big part of your life. How do you express that in your music and stay consistently physically fit?
Anyone who knows me, knows I have lots of energy so it makes sense to use it hence I hit the gym, dance and also bring the same energy to performances as well as recording because the body needs to keep fit. A simple reference is my single #Physically fit, in these times it’s so important to take care of the body as it is the vehicle that gets us from point A to point B.
How does being a queer South African artist shape your identity?
For me I’m living my truth how people perceive me is really none of my business, however I am proud and bold with raising the flag high in all I do because I’m a human being before any labels are sanctioned on me. I encourage people to authentically be who they are queer or not you need to love yourself.
How has Covid-19 affected your creative process?
To be honest it has pushed me to create more I have been in the studio more than I have ever been before lockdown. I'm on various digital platforms sharing the talents and performing live to get the work out to the masses. Covid has affected me financially because there's been no income or assistance since lockdown.
How do you choose your looks for performances versus daily life? And how does Color influence your style?
I love color. I try to always express myself artistically through the clothes I wear. For performances, I try to have custom-made clothes so I stand out like the neon colors and banana outfit you saw me rock at the Smoking dragon. My fashion sense is gender fluid if it looks good I will rock it.
Tell us about your inspiration for the track kGae we used in our collaborative shoot? When is it coming out?
The inspiration behind kGae was covid, most people had to go back home because of loss of jobs, some have lost their parents and also it felt like I had to remind young people the elderly need us as well as being aware of spirituality. I have known I have a gift to see and read from an early age. I just didn't know how to channel my voice. However now with more awakening, this experience has given me strength as well as a better understanding of African rituals and ancestors. I PLAN TO DROP kGAE on my birthday 31 July 2021
Do you have any other new music coming out that we should know about?
Yes this is definitely going to be a busy year, I just dropped a new single titled Jailer with an artist from Nigeria Superstar me. A remix of my dance single Physically Fit features @Deceptikons,@NelzSA and @Deekay_did_it who are killing the charts currently. A lot more is coming.
Thank you so much Delta the Leo for collaborating with us at PatternNation. We love your message music and energy. It was such an honor to design these looks for the video shoot for Delta’s track kGae, so stay tuned for the track and music video dropping July 2021. This editorial shoot was such a joy to create, the concept was all about connecting to one's authentic self through nature, style and movement. We hope the Qwear Fashion community will find inspiration in Delta the Leo’s artistry. We also would love to work with Delta again one day as she really embodies our mission, to create unique colorful, ungendered comfortable fashion for the bold because individuality never goes out of style. If you want to see more PatternNation content check out our Instagram @pattern.nation, website www.pattern-nation.com and previous articles from our Qwear Fashion series.
FOLLOW DELTA THE LEO:
Instagram
Twitter
Youtube
Sound Cloud
Facebook
Spotify
CREDITS:
Model/Dancer: Delta The Leo @delta_the_leo
Clothing: PatternNation @pattern.nation
Videographer: Melissa Bolton @influenced_by_life
Photographer: Costa Besta @costabesta
Creative Direction: Cyd Eva @cydeva
Location: Deer Park Cape Town South Africa
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