Sho Madjozi, whose full name is Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, is a South African Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress and Poet. She became a worldwide sensation after professional Wrestler John Cena surprised her during a performance video of her song, “John Cena,” on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She was born on May 9th, 1992.
Sho Madjozi Biography
| Full Name: | Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif |
| Known as: | Sho Madjozi, Maya The Poet |
| Date of Birth: | 9th May 1992 |
| Age: | 33 years old |
| Place of Birth: | Limpopo, South Africa |
| Place of Growth: | Limpopo, South Africa |
| Profession: | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Poet |
Sho Madjozi Family
Sho Madjozi has half-sisters from both her father’s and mother’s sides.
Her father is called Marc Wegerif, and her mother is called Rosemary Phaweni.
Her father worked for a charitable organisation called Oxfam.
She was mainly raised by her mother after her parents‘ divorce at a tender age.
Sho Madjozi Education
Sho Madjozi attended high school at the International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania and later graduated.
Sho Madjozi later attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in the United States of America (USA), after being offered a scholarship, where she studied Creative Writing and African Studies.
She then returned to South Africa and joined the University of South Africa.
Sho Madjozi Poetry Journey
Sho Madjozi began writing poems during her studies in the United States.
She went by the pen name ‘Maya The Poet‘.
The poems were about politics, race and identity.
Sho Madjozi Acting Journey
Madjozi made her acting debut in April 2017 as a cast member of Isithembiso, a Mzansi Magic drama telenovela.
She played Tsakane Mboweni, a character involved in student politics, in the first season of the telenovela.
Sho Madjozi Musical Journey
Sho Madjozi began rapping and composing music after returning to South Africa from the United States.
She went by ‘Sho Madjozi‘ as her stage name.
Career Launch
On April 28th, 2017, Sho Madjozi released her debut single ‘Dumi Hi Phone‘ featuring PS DJZ, a South African DJ duo.
She was also featured alongside DJ Hu Nose on the track “Probleme” by DJ Maphorisa on BlaqBoy Music Presents Gqom Wave (2017).
On March 9th, 2018, she released the lead single “Huku” from her debut album.
Huku was a successful release that propelled her into the music industry.
Limpopo Champions League – Debut Album
Sho Madjozi released her debut album, Limpopo Champions League, on December 14th, 2018.
The 13-track album contained songs such as:-
- Ro Rali (featuring Makhadzi)
- Idhom
- Limpopo Champions League
- Wa Penga Na? (featuring Kwesta and Makwa)
- Don’t Tell Me What To Do
- Huku
- Changanya (featuring Marioo and Aubrey Qwana)
- Kona
- I Mean That
- Yaz’ Abelungu
- Going Down (featuring pH Raw X)
- If I Die
- Wakanda Forever (featuring Ycee)
The album was another successful project that showcased her talent to her fans worldwide.
Sho Madjozi: John Cena
Sho Madjozi was featured on the global music platform COLORS on August 15th, 2019, performing her song ‘John Cena’.
The song was inspired by professional wrestler and actor John Cena.
She later released “John Cena” as an official single on September 27th, 2019.
On November 7th, 2019, Madjozi was a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show to discuss her career journey and the song “John Cena”.
During her performance, Madjozi was surprised by John Cena, who emerged from the backstage area.
Her emotional reaction to meeting John Cena, which she described as a lifelong dream come true, quickly became a viral video.
What A Life – First Mixtape
Sho Madjozi later released her first mixtape, titled What A Life, on November 26th, 2020.
The 9-track mixtape contained songs such as:-
- Ni Langha Wihi
- Dyisa Squad (featuring Sunglen Chabalala)
- Shahumba (featuring Thomas Chauke)
- Sena Ala
- Di Hawks
- Jamani
- Tsha Dovha (featuring Makhadzi & Manu WorldStar)
- Amajoy (featuring Russian Army)
- January (featuring DJ Mfundhisi)
She has continued to release chart-topping songs and deliver world-class performances across the globe.
Sho Madjozi Awards
Sho Madjozi has had a fantastic music career, winning awards and receiving accolades such as:-
- Newcomer of the Year at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019.
- Best Female Album at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019.
- Best Music Video for “Huku” at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019. (nominated)
- Best Kwaito, Gqom & AmaPiano Album for Limpopo Champions League at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019. (nominated)
- Best New International Act at the BET Awards in 2019.
- Madjozi was named by Forbes magazine to its 30 Under 30 Creatives list for her contributions to the music and entertainment sector in July 2019.
Njue Kevin, a Kenyan film director, producer, and screenwriter, was featured on the list alongside Nigerian musician Burna Boy, South African actress and media personality Thando Thabethe, and Ghanaian contemporary artist Joseph Awuah–Darko (Okuntakinte).
- Best Woman Performer at the Forbes Woman Awards in 2019
- Best Female Southern Africa at the Afrimma Awards in 2019
- Best GQOM artist at the 4th ceremony of Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards in 2019.
- Favorite Star (Africa) at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2020.
- Best Female Artist of the Year at the South African Music Awards in 2021.
- Best Traditional Music Album for What A Life at the South African Music Awards in 2021.
Sho Madjozi Child
Sho Madjozi welcomed her baby, a baby boy, in 2025.
On November 7th, 2025, during an emotionally candid discussion with South African media personality Nandi Madida on “The Motherhood Network Book Club,” she shared a powerful and personal account saying:
“I chose to be a mom. It wasn’t that I was married, and then, because of my marriage, I wanted [a child]… It wasn’t because I was choosing a man, and then the child is an after-effect. No, no, no. I chose a child,” she said to Madida.
Other Info.
Sho Madjozi signed to U.S. label Epic Records in July 2020.
Madjozi opened for Stromae at Madison Square Garden with a performance on November 22nd, 2022.
She has an online merchandise shop that sells sparkle braid hair extensions, fringed T-shirts, a children’s storybook, an activity book, and bundle packs.
Sho Madjozi Social Media Platforms
Instagram | X (Twitter) | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
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Sho Madjozi Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who is Sho Madjozi?
Sho Madjozi, whose full name is Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif, is a South African Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Actress and Poet. She became a worldwide sensation after professional Wrestler John Cena surprised her during her performance video of her song, John Cena on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
- When was Sho Madjozi born?
Sho Madjozi was born on May 9th, 1992.
- How old is Sho Madjozi?
Sho Madjozi is currently 33 years old.
- Which high school did Sho Madjozi attend?
Sho Madjozi attended high school at the International School of Tanganyika in Tanzania and later graduated.
- Which college did Sho Madjozi attend?
Sho Madjozi attended Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in the United States of America (USA), after being offered a scholarship, where she studied Creative Writing and African Studies.
She then returned to South Africa and joined the University of South Africa.
- When did Sho Madjozi start her Poetry journey?
Sho Madjozi began writing poems during her studies in the United States.
She went by the pen name ‘Maya The Poet‘.
The poems were about politics, race and identity.
- When did Sho Madjozi make her acting debut?
Sho Madjozi made her acting debut in April 2017 as a cast member of Isithembiso, a Mzansi Magic drama telenovela.
She played Tsakane Mboweni, a character involved in student politics, in the first season of the telenovela.
- When did Sho Madjozi start her Music Journey?
Sho Madjozi began rapping and composing music after returning to South Africa from the United States.
She went by ‘Sho Madjozi‘ as her stage name.
- When did Sho Madjozi release her debut single?
Sho Madjozi released her debut single ‘Dumi Hi Phone‘ featuring PS DJZ, a South African DJ duo, on April 28th, 2017.
- When did Sho Madjozi release her debut album, Limpopo Champions League?
Sho Madjozi released her debut album, Limpopo Champions League, on December 14th, 2018.
- Was Sho Madjozi surprised by John Cena?
YES. Sho Madjozi was surprised by Professional Wrestler John Cena during her performance video of her song, “John Cena,” on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Her emotional reaction to meeting John Cena, which she described as a lifelong dream come true, quickly became a viral video.
- Is Sho Madjozi signed to any Record Label?
Sho Madjozi signed to U.S. label Epic Records in July 2020.
- When did Sho Madjozi release her first mixtape, What A Life?
Sho Madjozi later released her first mixtape, titled What A Life, on November 26th, 2020.
- Which awards and accolades has Sho Madjozi won/received?
Sho Madjozi has had a fantastic music career, winning awards and receiving accolades such as:-
- Newcomer of the Year at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019.
- Best Female Album at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019.
- Best Music Video for “Huku” at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019. (nominated)
- Best Kwaito, Gqom & AmaPiano Album for Limpopo Champions League at the South Africa Music Awards in 2019. (nominated)
- Best New International Act at the BET Awards in 2019.
- She was named by Forbes magazine to its 30 Under 30 Creatives list for her contributions to the music and entertainment sector in July 2019.
Njue Kevin, a Kenyan film director, producer, and screenwriter, was featured on the list alongside Nigerian musician Burna Boy, South African actress and media personality Thando Thabethe, and Ghanaian contemporary artist Joseph Awuah–Darko (Okuntakinte).
- Best Woman Performer at the Forbes Woman Awards in 2019
- Best Female Southern Africa at the Afrimma Awards in 2019
- Best GQOM artist at the 4th ceremony of Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards in 2019.
- Favorite Star (Africa) at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2020.
- Best Female Artist of the Year at the South African Music Awards in 2021.
- Best Traditional Music Album for What A Life at the South African Music Awards in 2021.
- Does Sho Madjozi have a child?
Sho Madjozi welcomed her baby, a baby boy in 2025.
On November 7th, 2025, during an emotionally candid discussion with South African media personality Nandi Madida on “The Motherhood Network Book Club,” she shared a powerful and personal account saying:
“I chose to be a mom. It wasn’t that I was married, and then, because of my marriage, I wanted [a child]… It wasn’t because I was choosing a man, and then the child is an after-effect. No, no, no. I chose a child,” she said to Madida.
- Is Sho Madjozi Kenyan?
NO. Sho Madjozi is not Kenyan, she is South African.
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External Sources
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