Soa Mattrix

Born Mandla Mashakeni in Soweto, South Africa in 1998, Soa Mattrix is an Amapiano DJ and producer with a flair for soulful melodies and groovy compositions. Getting into music at the young age of 10, Soa started by making mixes and would dabble in producing hip hop, gom, and Afro-house tracks. His breakout single, 2020's "Uthando" (featuring Soulful G and Shaun 101), was rooted in amapiano but folded in elements of Afropop. He further demonstrates his varying range on his debut album, 2021's Sounds of Africa, where he serves up heartfelt ballads ("Buyisa") along with dance-floor-inviting bangers ("Emsotra" and "Stoko"). The album's title doubles as both an acronym for his name as well as the moniker of his record label/multimedia company, where he also works as a photographer and filmmaker.