From Soweto to Stardom: Soa Mattrix’s Musical Journey
For Soa Mattrix, pursuing music was a natural path. Growing up with a successful guitarist father, music has always been a constant companion and an integral part of his life. The love for the craft was so overpowering that, at the age of 10, he began teaching himself how to DJ and make music using the software available to him.
Despite his calling and seemingly destined path, the road wasn’t easy. It took 12 years for one of his songs to finally catch on: “Uthando” in 2020, which opened many doors for him.
“I had faith that it would work out; hence, I did not give up. I think most artists who know deep inside that they are meant for something just see a vision that no one else sees. Even if it takes time, it will pan out,” he said.
The Soweto-born star, real name Mandla Mashakeni, has evolved impressively over the last four years, cementing his place one song at a time. The release of his latest album, ‘Akani’, is a dedication to his son and marks the beginning of this purposeful journey of delivering music that will change lives.
Soa Mattrix
Like the title of the album, which means “to build,” his mission is to build equally.
“This project has been nothing but a blessing, especially with the people I got to work with. God had been talking to me for a while about this project, saying, ‘You don’t have
to worry about a lot. I will give you the people to work with and create this masterpiece. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for it to sink in, but everyone will understand.’”
Soa Mattrix is highly spiritual, sharing that this album would have been released in January already. “Before the making of this album, a lot of inner work had to be done,”
he said. “I had to get myself in order, and it took the entire year of 2023 to do that. I had to dig deep into myself to understand why I am a musician, what this gift is about, and what God requires of me. I needed direction with my purpose.”
“And at my son’s birth, I had not started with the project. I had no idea what the project would look like or that I even wanted one. The joy I experienced when he was born was enough to drive me straight into the studio. This project is a gift to me because he knows that his birth meant the world to me. Even if God takes me one day, he’ll forever have this gift,” he said.
Tracing back to when “Uthando” broke, launching him into stardom, he recalls how surreal that moment was for him.
“I vividly still remember how, after recording that song, I was scared. You should be scared because you know what they say: ‘If something is great, it should scare you.’ Seeing it trend the way it did scared me; I didn’t know what to do. I had no one, no manager to represent me; it was just me,” he said.
When the COVID-19 travel restrictions were relaxed and he had to travel for the song, he knew his music standards had to be elevated. That mentality stuck—that with every project he tackles, it must be greater than the last.
Soa Mattrix
Soa Mattrix hails from Soweto’s Diepkloof, the last born of four, and was raised under strict guidance, especially from his eldest brother. His mother and father were also very present in his upbringing.
“My dad is a free person, very happy, and I think that’s why my brother assumed the position of disciplinarian. Other than that, I had a pretty normal upbringing with one of the sweetest mothers ever. I actually want to record an entire album dedicated to her,” said the sentimental musician.
“Seeing how far I have come, I think my family took a while to buy into the idea of pursuing a career in music, especially my dad. When he looked at his own journey and how the industry treated him, I sometimes felt he didn’t want me to pursue a similar career. Being protective. But on the other hand, he was excited by my musical curiosity, so I had to prove this deep desire for myself.”
Knowing what he knows now, he says he would allow his son to pursue music because he would be there to guide the process.
In the last four years in the industry, Soa Mattrix has always kept it about the music, keeping his private life hidden so the music can speak for itself. And so far, he believes it has.
“Music really changed my life completely. Nothing is the same anymore, and knowing that I am part of one of the biggest movements in history is humbling. I have come very far with music, and to be named among the Amapiano pioneers is the biggest accolade one could ever receive. It just says that I did not waste my time and that everything was working for this moment,” he said. “I am super proud of how far I have come. I am not mad at those lonely experiences because they have led me to the here and now.”