Delivering an impressive cinematic statement, award-winning South African rap disruptor Sho Madjozi just shared the special Director’s Cut of the music video for her latest single “Toro” [feat. DDG]. Watch “Toro (Director’s Cut)” HEREexclusively via Clash Magazine. Listen to “Toro” [feat. DDG] HERE via Epic Records.

The extended version of “Toro” now includes over two minutes of prologue, setting the stage for the action to follow and contextualizing her journey. In the new footage, she and a friend stroll through their neighborhood at night until Sho notices a glowing pendant. In her head, a voice declares, “This is your gift. Look after it.” Her companion notes the power of this artifact as the girls return to Peshy with newfound confidence and charisma to slay in ultimate underground dance-off.

The Director’s Cut adds even more weight and heft to the already knockout visual. Clash praised, “Sho is a true force of nature, someone who has taken the organic street sounds of South Africa to a global audience. A true multi-hyphenate, she crosses over into visual arts and fashion, all while retaining her unique flavour”.

Last month, Sho dropped “Toro” to critical applause. OKAYAFRICA. proclaimed, “Over the years, the rapper has continued to push the envelope and sonically break barriers by experimenting with her flow, cadence, and structure.” Meanwhile, GRUNGECAKE applauded, “Meld the dramatic visuals with a raving Amapiano groove and Sho Madjozi’s half-polished care-free delivery, and you get a perfect jam to start the day. One for the haters.” Not to mention, it has already tallied north of half-a-million cumulative streams and counting.

The track formally introduces the United States to this international force of nature.

About the song, she commented, “‘Toro’ is short for‘Mtoroki’ meaning an ‘escaper’. I’ve escaped bad managers, bad lovers, and sill come out as me. I even defy convention because I say and do what I like. However, this music video is part 1 of this story. The thing around my neck stands for my gift—the thing that has given me my success. The video makes a statement about how isolating fame can be: how friends, manager, etc., have back-stabbed me. By the end of this video, I’m disillusioned with fame and wishing I didn’t have this gift at all because it’s made me lose touch with closest to me and probably even myself.”

Right now, she’s supporting Stromae on tour across North America. This massive arena run kicked off with a two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY November 21-22 before three shows at Bell Centre in Montreal Canada November 25-29, stops in major markets, and its conclusion back at Bell Centre on December 14. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below.

Get ready for more from Sho Madjozi in 2023, including her full-length debut for Epic Records!

Sho Madjozi has come a long way from the two-room rondavel she called home as a child in South Africa. Since making her debut in 2017, she quietly emerged as a global force renowned for head-spinning wordplay, ear-perking Xitsonga lyrics, and eye-popping colorful fashion. Powered by bangers like “John Cena” [1.8 million Spotify streams] and “Huku” [1.2 million Spotify streams], she took home “Favorite African Star” at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, “Best New International Artist” at the BET Awards, “Entertainer of the Year” from Forbes, and more. This year, she’s been nominated once again for a BET Award in the category of “Best International Artist.”

She graced the global covers of magazines such as Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Bona. Not to mention, she shared the stage with Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran at the 2019 Global Citizen Festivaland joined forces with Diplo for a much talked-about Super Bowl party performance in the same year. Plus, she met actor and WWE legend John Cena during a viral moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show. In addition to widespread acclaim from Vogue, BBC, OkayAfrica, and more, The New York Times praised how “She pays homage to her heritage while updating it for the moment, cutting across continents and genres.” 

Now, she’s on her way to the forefront of popular culture worldwide on her own terms.