Sho Madjozi

Sho Madjozi
Birth name Maya Wegerif
Also known as MayaThePoet[1]
Born (1992-05-09) 9 May 1992
Shirley, Limpopo Province, South Africa[2]
Genres
Occupation(s)
Associated acts
Website shomadjozi.com

Maya Wegerif (born 9 May 1992), commonly known by her stage name Sho Madjozi, is a South African rapper and poet. She is known for rapping in her native tongue Tsonga, and for her Swahili house hit single Huku. She has featured in Okmalumkoolkat's Ngiyashisa Bhe and Gqi, as well as DJ Maphorisa's Probleme,[3][4] and is an up-and-coming artist within the South African rap scene.[5][6]

Early life

Wegerif was born in South Africa to a white father and black Tsonga mother, and grew up in Shirley, a beautiful mountain village in the town of Elim in Limpopo Province.[7] As a teenager, Wegerif travelled to South Hadley, Massachusetts, United States to study African Studies and Creative Writing at Mount Holyoke College. Following this, she returned to South Africa and took up a fellowship in writing at the University of Johannesburg.[8]

Music and career

Wegerif's early work was mostly spoken word, written under the alias MayaThePoet.[9] Race, identity and politics play a common theme throughout her work, such as in her spoken word poem Sometimes it Pours.[10][11] After her return from the United States, Wegerif started rapping under the alias Sho Madjozi, in collaboration with Okmalumkoolkat, most significantly being featured in the track Ngiyashisa Bhe and the hit single Gqi.[9][3] She is significant for choosing to rap in Xitsonga, and states that it is important to her to remain true to the language.[8][4] 2017, Sho Madjozi featured with Rouge & Moozlie on "Ay Baby" by MsCosmo.[12]

Her fashion is an important element of her work, with her colourful and vibrant outfits matching the carefree style of her rapping.[8]

As well as her work within the music industry, Wegerif also acts in the Mzansi Magic telenovela Isithembiso.[9]

Personal life

Wegerif currently lives in Johannesburg with her boyfriend, a photographer.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Sho Madjozi Biography". amdb.co. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Modinsane, Kgosi (3 June 2017). "Intercontinental girl about town". The Citizen (Gauteng). Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Sho Madjozi Explains How She Comes Up With Her Hairstyles". Sahiphopmag. 24 May 2017.
  4. 1 2 Eafrika, Relebone Rirhandzu (6 June 2017). "Sho Madjozi and the Complicated Life of 'Carefree Black Girl' Trailblazers". Afripop Magazine.
  5. ↑ Kuta, Phendu. "8 Young Creatives to Watch in 2017". Unlabelled Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Williams, Caron. "Sho Madjozi – The Trailblazer". The Plug Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Torkonoo, Seyiram. "Maya "The Poet" Wegerif". Ayiba Magazine. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Meet local fashion and rap sensation Sho Madjozi". W24. 16 April 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 Dee, Christa. "Maya the Poet becomes Sho Madjozi: Tsonga rap and the preservation of home". Bubble Gum Club.
  10. ↑ Anyangwe, Eliza (19 February 2016). "This is a black conversation: give us the space to be heard". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Stones, Lesley. "200 Young South Africans". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  12. ↑ https://www.slikouronlife.co.za/blog/10001/mscosmo-ft-nomoozlie-rouge-rapper-x-shomadjozi-ay-baby
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