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Leslie (aka Les) J. Mampe Jnr., also known as the Da L.E.S (i.e. Leslie Equals Success) to his many fans, was born in the US in Washington DC, lived in Texas, but the person who he has become was carved in the Muthaland by way of South Africa. Da L.E.S is by no means a new entrant to the entertainment scene, in fact his first claim to fame came courtesy of his dancing abilities where he featured on shows like Sasco Sam and KTV.
Da L.E.S’s music exploits came into fruition when he hooked up with long time friend and Brother from another mother Bongani Fassie. Bongani and Da L.E.S’s first musical endeavor came in the form of collaboration with Shimane, titled Runnin Bizz in 2004. Fast forward to 2007 and Les became a household name due to his participation with Jozi.
Les forms one third of ultra super hip hop crew Jozi, of the Muthaland Crunk fame. This release went on to be nominated for a SAMA award, 4 Metro FM awards and a Channel O spirit of Africa award, in categories such as best group and best Hip Hop. The group was also afforded the opportunity to perform at the most recent 46664 concert held in December 2007. In doing so the album launched the careers of three individuals with distinct personas who contributed different musical elements, which were infused to create the Muthaland Crunk sound.
Da L.E.S through Jozi has become recognized as one of the best emcee’s in the country. As Da L.E.S explains, “rapping is something that lives within me continuously, let me just hear a beat and I automatically want to just start rhyming.” With that in mind Da L.E.S solo offering came off the back of him being in studio, with his producer/ band mate and long time friend Bongani Fassie. “What was meant to be a lyrical exercise, ended up becoming a 13 track feature album called, Fresh to Def”, as Leslie emphasises. This project essentially opened up the opportunity for Da L.E.S to create set of songs that showcase his lyrical versatility and his eclectic sound, which best represents his own personality and influences that in turn define his rapping style. Fresh to Def is woven out of a lyrical introspection of Les’s desire to continually enhance and refine his ability as an emcee. As Les explains, “my personal style from rapping, to dressing has to be FRESH!”.
He is definitely a swagger boy as the ladies would attest. This album is not Les breaking away from Jozi but represents Les’s mission to deliver good music and explore his own capabilities as an artist to ensure growth. For Les this album is directed at the youth, as he feels he is a proud ambassador and role model of the youth. This is also seen by his venture into TV where he is a presenter on Craz-e’s hip hop show Shiz Niz. So ladies and gentleman a man, who needs no introduction, present you, Fresh to Def – listen to it, admire it, be inspired but by any means possible ensure you’re not left behind on this one!
Some of his songs are Tippy toes, We're on fire, etc.