Soshangaan does not believe in giving up
Xitsonga rapper, Soshangaan created his own flavour against all the odds. He doesn't believe in giving up
Xitsonga hip-hop warrior, Nyiko "Soshangaan" Maluleke is set to release his new album this month.
LIMPOPO – Though Soshangaan has been in the music industry for a long time, he strongly believes that 2016 is the year for him.
“I want to engrave my name in the African books of hip-hop. Whenever people talk about Xitsonga hip-hop, I want the name Soshangaan to be the first that comes to mind. I want to leave a legacy,” says Soshangaan.
To the Nkowankowa born artist, who was named Nyiko Maluleke by his parents, music is something he believes to be in his blood. His late father, Daniel Maluleke was a musician, and Soshangaan has fond memories of growing up listening to his records.
His family left Nkowankowa and moved to Elim to stay with his grandmother after his father passed away. With his mom unemployed, it was tough growing up, but they somehow managed to make ends meet.
That was when Soshangaan fell in love with hip-hop, with his friend Christopher Mahungu teaching him all he knew. Together with Nyiko Miyeni and Sipho Khosa, the two friends formed a group, RG Posse, which recorded an album in their Gr 12 year.
Unfortunately, the album was never released. Soshangaan enrolled at the former Technikon Northern Gauteng but dropped out due to financial difficulties.
He then formed JK Krew with Jacob Tswai and later Black Warriors which he formed with Lawrence Mawela, recording demos with both crews. His career took a turn for the better last year when he attended a Machangani Day event.
He found a way to perform at the event which led to him meeting his manager, Tirhani Mabasa, who was highly impressed by his remake of Penny-Penny’s song Xichangani I Xilungu.
His first solo album, Bomba Mchangani is set to be released this month, with the first single Koka Moya already receiving airplay. Like the warrior he named himself after, Soshangaan is determined never to give up until Xitsonga hip-hop is topping the airwaves.
