South African rapper, singer, and songwriter Sho Madjozi has been making waves in the music industry with her unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds, socially conscious lyrics, and colorful fashion sense.
She gained global recognition in 2019 when she won the Best New International Act award at the BET Awards, becoming the first South African female artist to do so.
Madjozi's music is a blend of Tsonga and contemporary pop sounds, with lyrics that are often in Xitsonga, one of South Africa's 11 official languages. She uses her music to promote African heritage and to encourage people to be unapologetic about who they are.
A Deeper Look Into Who Sho Madjozi Is
Sho Madjozi, whose real name is Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, is a South African rapper, singer, and songwriter. Her debut single, "Dumi HiPhone," which was released in 2017, became an instant hit in South Africa, and her career has been on the rise ever since.
She gained global recognition in 2019 when she won the Best New International Act award at the BET Awards, becoming the first South African female artist to do so. Her acceptance speech, delivered in both English and Xitsonga, was widely praised for promoting her culture and language.
Madjozi's music is not only popular but also socially conscious. In her hit song "John Cena," for instance, she encourages people to be proud of their African heritage and to be unapologetic about who they are. The song was named after the WWE wrestler John Cena.
Related: John Cena Continues To Confuse Fans With His Weird Instagram Posts
Madjozi is also known for her unique fashion sense, which is often inspired by her Tsonga culture. She has been seen wearing colorful Xitsonga-inspired outfits and accessories, which have become a signature look for her.
Aside from her music, Madjozi is also an advocate for education in South Africa. She has been involved in various initiatives to improve education in the country, including partnering with the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote literacy among young children.
In 2020, Madjozi released her debut album, Limpopo Champions League, which features collaborations with other South African artists, including Makhadzi and Marioo.
The album, which was named after her home province, received critical acclaim and further cemented her position as one of South Africa's rising stars. Madjozi is an artist who is proud of her heritage and uses her music to promote it.
While on The Kelly Clarkson Show, promoting her music and song "John Cena," Clarkson asked her more about her connection to the WWE star and had a big surprise in-store.
What is Sho Madjozi's Connection to John Cena?
Sho Madjozi's connection to John Cena began in 2019 when she released a song titled "John Cena." The song, which features lyrics about the famous wrestler and actor, quickly went viral and caught the attention of Cena himself.
After the song gained popularity, Madjozi expressed her desire to meet Cena in interviews and on social media. In response, Cena posted a photo of the singer on his Instagram page.
While on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Madjozi expressed her love for the star and performed her single. While she was singing "John Cena," the star himself came out and started dancing along, surprising Majozi.
Related: A Look At John Cena’s Personal Life And Net Worth
Madjozi's reaction was priceless. The singer couldn't contain her excitement and was jumping all around and smiling brightly, fully stopping her performance on the show. She hugged Clarkson, thanked her, and then jumped into Cena's arms for a hug. She was clearly over the moon and jokingly told Clarkson, "You told me he wasn't here!"
Madjozi has since gone on to perform "John Cena" at various events and concerts, including the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg and the NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago. The song has also been featured in numerous films and TV shows, including the animated movie Raya and the Last Dragon.
Madjozi's connection to John Cena has helped to elevate her profile on a global scale and has introduced her music to a wider audience.
John Cena On Surprising Sho Madjozi
In February 2020, John Cena surprised South African rapper Sho Madjozi during her appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Madjozi was performing her hit song "John Cena" on the show when Cena appeared behind her and started dancing to the song.
Madjozi had written the song as a tribute to Cena, whom she had long admired. In the song, she uses Cena's name as a metaphor for a strong and dependable partner. The song went viral in 2019, and Cena himself had even tweeted about it, calling it "unexpectedly wonderful."
Related: How Peacemaker Is Redefining John Cena's Career
During the surprise appearance, Cena danced alongside Madjozi, much to her delight. After the performance, he shared some words of encouragement with her, saying, "People are finding inspiration in your song. She (Sho) explained it very candidly, but her song is essentially about heartbreak, yeah?"
"But, it's really cool because it's a high-energy song, and you can take something negative in your life and express it creatively, and you've literally reached an audience around the world," he continued.
Cena said, "I think that is super, super empowering."
The surprise appearance by Cena on The Kelly Clarkson Show was a touching moment for Madjozi—something she will remember and cherish for years to come.
