Sho Madjozi marks her return today (Feb. 3) with the release of her latest single, “Chalé,” an upbeat dance track that’ll have dance floors hopping. The song is a celebration of life and culture in Limpopo, South Africa, the country in which the artist grew up. The infectious track, produced by Tboy Daflame, features a blend of traditional tsonga and vendora vibes as well as a few slightly altered versions of familiar rap lines to stand out in the mix (ex. “ I don’t remember you being there when we shot in the gym! Back then there wasn’t a lot of money coming in!”).
“Chale” features a matching visual to the song, transporting us right into the vibrant and colorful city Madjozi in Uganda. As the film moves from one stage to the next, viewers are treated to glimpses of internationally known talent accompanied by a crew of dancers who pop up in different locations and break out some high-energy moves, while the locals look on in awe.
When Sho Madjozi made her first marks as a recording artist thanks to Okmalumkoolkat, her first singles included “Ngiyashisa Bhe!” and “Gqi!” By the time she released her debut album, Limpopo Champions League, twelve years later, the same year she made her debut as a solo artist, Madjozi was blessed with additional contributions from Makhadzi, Makwa, Kwesta, Marioo, PH RawX, Aubrey Gwana, and Ycee. This album was considered one of the most diverse projects due to its combination of qgom and shangaan electro rhythms with hip hop, reggae, R&B, and so on. Following the huge success of Limpopo Champions League in 2020, What A Life was equally well received by audiences all over the world.
Before 2023 arrived on the scene, Madjozi teamed up with DDG for her first English release since the viral “John Cena” release that was released in 2019. In the press release, she explains that the title is short for mtoroki, or escaper, which actually refers to people who have transgressed toxic relationships in life.
“Over the years I’ve managed to escape bad managers, bad lovers, and I’ve still managed to come out as I am,” Sho Madjozi said. “In fact, I defy conventions by saying and doing what I like in the manner I want to… It is a video that tells the story about how isolated fame can be, as well as how people like my friends, managers, etc., have taken advantage of me.”
