Mdantsane-born Afro trap artist Sosoboy Fosho set LIV Sandton alight on August 22 with the official launch of his highly anticipated EP, Pink Roses.
The night was a celebration of rhythm, resilience and raw talent, marking a defining moment for an artist who has dreamed of this stage since he was 12.
The atmosphere was electric! Somizi Mhlongo dazzled as MC with his trademark charm and flamboyance. There was a spectacular moment in the packed, high-fashion filled club, when award-winning rapper Emtee strutted to the podium and brought the house down.
“The crowd went wild when Mine came on,” said a guest. “He’s giving Mdantsane a global voice. You feel the soul in his music.”
Born Sonwabile Madonela, Sosoboy poured his soul into the mic, performing tracks from the six-song project with charisma that had the audience hanging on every word. His viral hit Mine, already dominating social media and featured on a popular TV drama soundtrack, sent the crowd into a frenzy, with fans singing every lyric back to him.
“I’ve always known music was my gift,” he said. “Even as a child, I felt it deeply. I almost gave up, but music always found its way back to me. Lockdown reminded me why I started.”
After his early work in music, Sosoboy took a five-year break from recording. During that period, he hosted a radio show on Mdantsane FM, not only to keep his name alive in the entertainment industry but also to promote and uplift local artists. When Covid-19 hit, it reignited his spark. He went back to writing and rediscovered the passion that shaped his path.
His first solo releases, Ugologo (2019) and Shandis (2021), marked the early stages of his career. But it was Mine, released in 2025, that pushed him into the spotlight and became his breakthrough hit.
“I enjoy making music, it’s my life. I thank God for the recognition. I’ve prayed for this alignment and I’m working 10 times harder now. To my listeners, I hope you take away this: even if you gave up on love, there is still love out there. I want men to show appreciation for women and to continue with love.”
Sosoboy also credits global Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy as one of his biggest inspirations.
“Burna Boy showed us that African artists can take our sound to the world without changing who we are. That gave me courage to push Afro trap,” he said
The EP blends hip-hop, R&B, Afropop and isiXhosa storytelling into a sound Sosoboy has coined Afro trap, a genre he believes will give SA youth a new voice on the global stage.
The six-track journey includes: First Lady (featuring King Wave & ARTeast); Ami Faku (featuring Beat Khanki, Thobz & Azzy EC); Mine (featuring King Wave); Darlie Nguwe (featuring King Wave & Vise); Chance To Live (featuring King Wave & Beat Khanki) and Inyembezi zoThando (featuring Beat Khanki & Carn).
“I want Pink Roses to speak to people who’ve loved, who’ve lost, and who are still learning to live,” Sosoboy said. “It’s about healing through melody.”
His rise caught the attention of Asanda Mabengwana, founder of Asanda Empires, who signed him without hesitation. The label was founded in 2016, by Mabengwana, who is a former member of the popular 1990s group Trybe.
“I remember getting a WhatsApp video of Sosoboy’s performance,” Mabengwana recalled. “Within 30 seconds I stopped everything I was doing. Flights were booked immediately. I knew he was the one. His melodies touched me, and melodies are the hardest part of music. They go straight to the soul.”
Through Asanda Empires, and with global distribution via Sony Music, Sosoboy’s songs are already charting on platforms such as Trace TV.
Studio sessions with Emtee are lined up, with Sjava and Nasty C also on his radar, and he has a gig lined up in Dubai.
“I’m nervous but excited for the path I’m paving,” he said. “This is just the start. The future is wide open.”
With Pink Roses, Sosoboy Fosho is not just releasing music; he’s planting seeds of a movement. A movement rooted in love, culture and global ambition.
