I am too rooted in my culture, I am too rooted in my beliefs and my values, I am too rooted in my language and they wanted something different,” she added.
Madjozi also shared that she felt like she was constantly being compared to her fellow South African artists who had achieved international success.
“There were times when I felt like they were comparing me to other people who are also from South Africa who have gone international and who are not necessarily doing music in their languages,” she said.
“I felt like they were comparing me to people who are not necessarily representing their cultures,” she added.
Despite her decision to step away from the industry, Madjozi assured fans that she will still be making music and performing, just without the pressure of the industry expectations.
“I will still be here, I will still be making music, I will still be performing, I’m just not doing it with that pressure of being what the industry expects me to be,” she said.
As she prepares to release her final album, Madjozi is focused on staying true to herself and her roots, and creating music that is authentic to who she is as an artist.
“I want to make music that represents me and my culture and my people and my language. I want to make music that is authentic to who I am,” she said.
With her upcoming album, Madjozi hopes to leave a lasting legacy in the music industry and inspire other artists to stay true to themselves and their roots.
“I hope that with this album, I can leave a mark and inspire other artists to be true to themselves and their roots,” she said.
Madjozi’s final album is set to be released in the coming months, and fans can expect a unique blend of her signature sound with a deeper exploration of her cultural roots and identity.
As she closes this chapter of her music career, Madjozi is excited for the future and the opportunities that lie ahead outside of the industry’s expectations and demands.
Sho Madjozi recently opened up about her decision to part ways with her record label Epic, stating, “I don’t think they had sinister intentions, I just think it wasn’t a good match.” In October, Madjozi celebrated her independence from the label and ventured into the realm of doing things independently.
The disparities between Sho Madjozi and Maya Wegerif are evident when you consider Madjozi’s music and lifestyle. Despite her mainstream success, Madjozi is often found hanging out in bohemian spaces, enjoying the company of friends who appreciate a different kind of music. Her 31st birthday celebration was a testament to this, with an African Union-themed party attended by fellow creatives rather than a typical nightclub affair.
Madjozi acknowledges that her success in the music industry may have been influenced by her appearance, referring to the concept of “pretty privilege.” She recognizes that being light-skinned and slender may have played a role in people perceiving her as a potential pop star, despite her alternative style and sound.
Looking towards the future, Madjozi is exploring new avenues beyond music. She delivered a keynote address at the University of Cape Town’s introduction of Swahili Studies and plans to pursue projects related to her passions, such as her hair brand Sparkle Braids and animation. Additionally, she aims to focus on writing for film and completing a project that was interrupted by her music career.
As a National Geographic explorer, Madjozi’s work will be featured in a documentary for the organization. Despite stepping away from the music scene for now, Madjozi is excited about the opportunities to explore her other interests and make a meaningful impact in various creative fields.
