At just 22, Makhosonke Clement Tiwane known as Makhosonke Thee Sovereign-is crafting a sound that refuses to be boxed in. A rapper and singer-songwriter with roots in Lawley, south of Johannesburg, he is steadily building a name as one of the most versatile independent artists to watch.
His journey into music was anything but straightforward. Speaking to GLOBE POST, he says growing up in Lawley opportunities for young people to explore their talents were limited: “It’s an environment where there aren’t enough resources for kids to discover themselves.”
That passion was first nurtured in the choir at Lawley Primary School, where he began to appreciate the art of music. Years later, friends introduced him to a local producer, marking his first real attempt at recording. But the experience was far from ideal. Makhosonke said: “I do not think I was ready. I hadn’t discovered my sound yet.”
He describes his artistry as a balance between two worlds. “I like to describe it as two alter egos, Makhosonke the serene singer-songwriter, and Sovereign is the unhinged rapper,” he told GLOBE POST. This dual identity has become the foundation of his creative expression.
At the time, he performed under the name King Tee, experimenting without clear direction. Those early studio sessions, he recalls, were discouraging. “Most of those songs were terrible. A lot of them were scrapped, deleted, or lost. It almost killed my passion,” he added. He attributes the struggles to creative differences and a lack of shared vision.
Following that setback, Makhosonke stepped away from music entirely. When he returned in late 2021, it was with renewed purpose and a determination to do things differently. During his hiatus, he not only reflected but also evolved-teaching himself how to rap and channeling his frustrations into growth. “I used the anger and disappointment to push myself,” he said.
A turning point came when he connected with a hip-hop producer known as TNT. After sharing his lyrics and freestyles, they created “Intro (Reckoning),” a track that would redefine his direction. “That’s when I felt like I had found my true potential,” he says. It was also the moment he adopted the name Makhosonke Thee Sovereign, fully embracing his dual artistic identity.
His sound today is deliberately experimental, blending elements of Soul, R&B, Hip-hop, Afro-pop, Afrobeats, and Dance. This genre-bending approach, paired with his distinctive voice, has helped him connect with a wide audience. He draws inspiration from artists such as A-Reece, Nasty C, Emtee, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, and The Weeknd.
Comparisons to artists like Bryson Tiller and Blxckie have followed, but Makhosonke takes them in stride. “It doesn’t bother me,” he says. “Those are great artists, and I’d love to collaborate with them one day.”
As an independent artist, his work ethic has been key to his growth. Over the past three years, he has released 28 singles across digital platforms. His efforts earned him a nomination for Best Music Single at the 2025 Sihle Mtshali Awards in Lawley, along with recognition from platforms such as Creative Makhado.
Beyond performing, Makhosonke is also deeply involved in the creative process behind his music. He arranges all his songs and is currently learning to produce his own beats. “Most of the beats I use are sounds I hear in my head first,” he explains. “Then my producers help bring them to life.”
In 2026, he continues to build momentum, having already released two singles this year, with another track, ‘You & I’, set for release in late April. Featuring collaborators from Lawley, the song is expected to further showcase his evolving sound.
For Makhosonke Thee Sovereign, the journey is still unfolding-but one thing is clear: he is no longer searching for his voice. He has found it, refined it, and turned it into a powerful statement of identity. “I’m continuously evolving and I’m just getting started.”
