Itumeleng, who first captured the hearts of South Africans with her role on Rhythm City and later uBettina Wethu, has taken her talent in a new direction. With her acting career temporarily on hold after the cancellation of uBettina Wethu, Itumeleng is now making waves in the music industry. She has already released two singles, Mayibabo and Ain’t Selling Out, and is fully committed to exploring her musical potential.
In an interview with ZiMoja, Itumeleng shared that her passion for music runs deep. “Music was my first love,” she said, reminiscing about her childhood aspirations. “When people asked me what I wanted to be as a child, I would say Brenda Fassie. I have been pursuing music from as far back as 2011.” Her admiration for the late South African music legend Brenda Fassie has been a driving force behind her creative journey.
Itumeleng has also created a YouTube channel, One Autumn Media, which chronicles her evolution as an artist. “I have a channel called One Autumn Media on YouTube that documents some of the people I’ve worked alongside while pursuing a career in music. A few of them went on to be bigger brands, it’s quite noteworthy actually,” she revealed.
Unlike many artists, Itumeleng refuses to be confined by a single genre. “I don’t have a specific sound. Right now, people think I’m a rapper because I dropped a freestyle. I’m actually just a creative and a beat maker too. I have multiple personalities and they are all musicians, therefore I cannot claim any specific genre or sound.” Her music is deeply personal, reflecting the stages of her life and emotions. “My music is an experience of whatever phase I’m in at a particular moment. The only binding factor about my music is that it is an authentic expression of the journey of my soul.”
Her creative spirit even extends to her stage persona, as she revealed that she performs under the name OKASHII, meaning “weird” or “strange” in Japanese. “That’s what I am,” she concluded with a smile.
Itumeleng’s journey from the screen to the stage showcases her versatility and determination to carve out a space for herself in the music industry, all while staying true to her authentic self.
