Based: Johannesburg
Sho Madjozi, also known as Maya the Poet for her poetry, started playfully uploading videos of herself rapping in Xitsonga and she experienced a surprisingly positive response from her followers which motivated her to take it seriously. Sho Madjozi does not define this as a transformation but another adventure she has embarked on as a writer.
Although she went to college in the US, this young artist strives to be anything that paints her culture in a bright light. She says the period spent in the US made her more African, she came back more mature and ready to be herself.
Since her breakthrough rapping career and collaborating with other popular artists, she says the best message she ever got from a fan was one that said, “Before I had heard you rap in Tsonga, I used to hide the fact that I am Tsonga and even changed my Tsonga name.”
In her raps, Sho Madjozi goes back to how much she loves partying, how broke she is, and criticises people for not living their best lives. This, for her, means embracing all that she is.
- She won Newcomer of the Year in the South African Music Awards 2019.
- She also won the Best Female Album in the South African Music Awards 2019.
- Madjozi got a nomination for Best Music Video for “Huku” and Best Kwaito, Gqom & AmaPiano Album for Limpopo Champions League for South African Music Awards in 2019.
- She was awarded a BET Award for Best New International Act at the BET Awards 2019.
- She also got a nomination for Best Newcomer in the All Africa Music Awards 2019.
- Madjozi got nominated for Best Female Southern Africa.
- She was nominated for the AFRIMA Video of The Year in the All Africa Music Awards 2019
