Global force: Sho Madjozi bags international recording deal

Award-winning rapper and Limpopo Champions League star Sho Madjozi has officially signed to Epic Records.

The John Cena hit-maker now boasts major international artists like Travis Scott and Future as stablemates. She becomes the only South African to be signed to the North American label.

‘Beautifully waving flag for South Africa’

Since making her debut in 2017, Madjozi has quietly emerged as a global force renowned for head-spinning wordplay, ear-perking Xitsonga lyrics and eye-poppingly colourful fashion.

“African artists are enjoying an unprecedented level of visibility in music and Sho Madjozi is beautifully waving the flag for South Africa,” said Epic Records CEO Sylvia Rhone in a statement.

“She’s bold, brilliant and remarkably talented and her music embodies all that is special about her homeland. We’re honoured to have her as the newest member of the Epic family.”

Sony Music Entertainment Africa managing director Sean Watson said the company was thrilled to be supporting legendary sister label Epic Records on such an important South African artist.

“We’re working at a special company at a special time and we couldn’t be prouder than we are of our local star Sho and our big sister Sylvia for partnering to make this happen,” Watson said.

Madjozi’s BET award nomination

Madjozi was nominated for a BET award for Best International Act alongside Burna Boy and other male international artists.

Last week, however, the Huku hit-maker took to Twitter, claiming that Burna and his label were allegedly responsible for taking down a remix of Stormzy’s Own It, in which she featured alongside Burna Boy.

In her thread last week she said: “For those asking where the Own It remix is, after I got nominated alongside him for BET Best International Act, Burna Boy asked Stormzy’s team to take down the song immediately. Song was out for a whole month before that, no problem.”

She suggested that the song was taken down after her nomination, as she was up against Burna Boy, Stormzy and other male international artists.

She further claimed that Burna Boy was intimidated by her success.

Other Madjozi accolades

In 2019, the Tsonga rapper walked away with the BET Award for Best International Act and made history as the first South African woman to do so.

She also was a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award Favourite African Star.

Not only is she scooping up awards, she’s also putting South Africa on the map with appearances in the United States (US).

Among her appearances in the US, Madjozi created a viral moment when she met actor, wrestler and WWE legend John Cena, the namesake of her song, on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2019.