Never in my lifetime has a performer of Tsonga descent seen such commercial success as Sho Madjozi. And, as someone who is part Tsonga and aware of the lack of representation of the more than 2.3 million Tsonga people on television and in music, she’s a gem to be cherished.
Although a trailblazer in her own right for taking Xitsonga music to the masses, the path was paved by many before her from the likes of Penny Penny to Esta-M. Born Maya Wegerif to a white father and black mother in Limpopo, Madjozi, 26, started as a poet before making the switch to music. Her first single, Dumi Hi Phone, released last year, became a national party anthem.
As a reminder, listen to Dumi Hi Phone here:
Fast forward to now and she has released her second single, Huku, on which she raps in kiSwahili. She has performed to thousands of fans at the Global Citizen Festival and released her debut album, Limpopo Champions League. “I started working on the album towards the end of 2017 and throughout this year,” Madjozi says. “The plan was to release a few singles and then a full album. There are some songs on the album that some people will recognise because they are songs I have been performing and sharing.”
Watch Huku video here:
She admits to going through some challenges in her life when she put together Limpopo Champions League. “I was dealing with this newfound fame. I was dealing with having my own money. For the first time in my life, I was not broke, I could afford whatever I wanted. “With this album I also communicate a clear message that Tsonga people belong. Often we are treated as if we should not be in South Africa and people think we all need to look a specific way. We belong like everyone else, and this album celebrates that”
She also tackles social issues such as patriarchy on a song titled, Don’t Tell Me What To Do. “As females, we’re always told what to do. “I’m saying, don’t even try telling me what to do. We are our own people.”
Limpopo Champions League is available on all music platforms.