Miss Hilary takes a bold step and launches her record label El Pateom

Choreographer and musician Miss Hilary, real name Tinyiko Hilary Khoza, is taking a bold step in her career and launching her independent record label El Pateom.

She launches the record label in a groundbreaking partnership with global music powerhouse Empire.

This strategic move signals a new era of artistic and entrepreneurial independence for Miss Hilary, who continues to break barriers for women in music. 

“I've been very fortunate to work with a team of people who understand my vision and from day one, the goal was to grow me into not just a musician or performer, but someone who understands the music business and how to run the music business. 

“To be able to do it for myself and open a label was one of the things we had on our checklist.”

She has been equipped with knowledge and information to be able to open her label. It may be a huge step, but Miss Hilary is confident about the journey.

As a lover of knowledge, it was important for Miss Hilary to equip herself with the knowledge of the music business. Ever since she was young, wisdom has been something Miss Hilary sought. In university, she even studied philosophy, something she later discovered is the love of wisdom.

“It simply came naturally for me to seek the music business education. It wasn't something that was forced down my throat that you need to know this. There's the Music Business Academy that I attend every month. If there's a master class, if there's anything, I even work hand-in-hand with them because I want to know.

“I also think it's important for anybody who's in music or a creative to know about the business of whatever sector they're in. It's not just the glitz and the glam that's out there.

“I don't want to die like a pauper. I can't be working so hard and not even have anything when I say, 'Oh, I'm retiring'. Those are monies that will mature for me to be able to say I'm stepping down.”

As a young woman, Miss Hilary wants to be in a position where she can take charge of her career as a creative. 

El Pateom is more than just a label; it is a movement aimed at empowering the next generation of young women who dare to believe in possibilities beyond their circumstances.

She explains that the name, which is derived from the Setswana word Moetapele, which means leader. “I want to be a leader that other girls or younger girls can look at and say, ‘I want to be like that.’ ”

As someone from Shawela, Soweto, Miss Hilary wants to inspire young people that tradition is cool and trendy. Miss Hilary is very passionate about education, her creativity, and craft, and wants to be a good example to the young girls growing up.

A firm believer in education with a BA degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, and an Honours in Management. “I think I'm also an overachiever, I can't stop,” she chuckles.

In celebration of Women's Month, Miss Hilary shared this message for young women. “Always know that as a woman, you have power and don’t let anybody else tell you otherwise.  

“How we treat ourselves is most likely how others will treat us. To young ladies, to women out there, my message is to always know who you are, what you stand for and take pride in what you are.

“Take pride in being a woman, because being a woman is much more than what's on the surface. We are the mothers of this world and only the day we realise and recognise our potential, a lot of things will change. 

“We need to allow ourselves to get into spaces, and not let people tell us we can't do something, because we can and times are changing. The women who fought for us during this month did that. So, we could be able to stand tall and say we are continuing the movement.”

IOL Entertainment