From being selected to perform at the Metro FM Heatwave (2018), performing alongside stars such as Nathi Mankayi, Ciar Diko is swiftly becoming a household name, especially in Eastern Cape and his Kasi, Cosmo City, North of Joburg.
Ciar Diko, real name Siyamthanda is a South African songwriter, singer, and vocalist who grew up in a small village called Mvalweni in Eastern Cape’s Mount Ayliff.
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Talking to MGOSI.co.za (Rising Star), Ciar Diko says that he was raised by his mother, together with his four siblings, while his father had left to seek greener pastures in Johannesburg.
The MGOSI Rising Star is currently busy recording his second studio album which he plans to release on the 1st of May 2020.
Out of his love for music, Ciar Diko developed an interest in being an Afro-soul artist. He started singing and recording professional music in 2015.
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After releasing his Afro-pop album titled Kwanele in 2017, Ciar Diko was nominated at the 3rd Annual Eastern Cape Music Awards in three categories – Best Newcomer, Best Song of The Year and, Best Afro-Pop Artist. In 2018 he was also nominated as Best Newcomer – Live Your Dream SA Awards in Durban.
Ciar Diko is also busy documenting his career, struggles, and challenges he faced when he took a decision to move to Joburg in order to pursue his music career.
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“I am shooting my documentary which is a story that takes you through my career as a musician, struggles and challenges that I’ve faced when I decided to move to Joburg in 2015.
Some of the struggles that Ciar Diko faced was having to get everything done by himself while he was unemployed to fund studio time, including paying the right PR people to get his brand out there.
“I had to get gigs by myself and by that time I wasn’t working. Nobody believed in me. Studio time was costly and I had to get a job in order to be able to pay for studio services,” says Ciar Diko.
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The young musician says that after he started to brand himself he started to approach club promoters to give him the opportunity to perform at various venues around Joburg.
He says that performance that opened the doors for him was at Cosmo City’s Platinum Lounge.
He says that when he writes music he reflects on what he has gone through in life.
“We have many problems as people, so you never know when your musical story might touch and heal someone. That’s why when I write music I go through a process of reflection of what life has been and also music that encourages whoever that listens to it to actually find the strength to live life to the fullest,” shares Ciar Diko.
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In 2016, Ciar also scooped the first prize at the Greater Kokstad Municipality’s Arts and Culture Music Competition.
“Last year I saw my brand growing and doing wonderful work as an independent artist. I’ve inspired so many young people with my craft. Another inspiration for me came when I was performing at the Soweto Fashion Week at Zone 6 Venue, which was also live on Soweto TV,” he shares.
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Ciar is also a brand ambassador for a designer clothing label called BT Taicoon, which is based in Pretoria.
Recently released by Ciar Diko is Thando listen below:
Ciar performs Kwanele live below:
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