Makhosonke Clement Tiwane (21), a Pretoria-based musician who's well known as Makhosonke Thee Sovereign — is a rapper and songwriter who has had a passion for music since a very young age. Influenced by a wide range of genres and artists, MAKHOSONKE represents a unique duality in his artistry. He is, in his own words, two alter egos: Makhosonke, the serene singer-songwriter, and Sovereign, the unhinged rapper. He has once again entered into a new paradigm in his artistry after the release of his latest song “LJ, Pt. I (Rap Version)”.

Makhosonke’s musical path began unexpectedly when he was sixteen. Despite having a deep love for music from a young age, he never imagined he would one day create his own. It was a group of friends, recognizing his strong passion, who introduced him to a producer, DJ Marimba. At the time, he went by the stage name King Tee, a combination of his first and last names. Early studio sessions were, as he recalls, "horrible," with most of the songs being scrapped. Only one track, "Thando (Love)," survived, and he would not return to music until 2021. This time, he was determined to pursue his art on his own terms.

In 2021, Makhosonke and a close friend sought out a hip-hop producer and soon connected with TNT. After showing TNT a collection of his lyrics and freestyling to give a sense of his sound, a custom beat was created and they recorded the song "Intro (Reckoning)", which became a turning point in his music career. Makhosonke felt he had found his true potential and promptly changed his stage name to Makhosonke Thee Sovereign to better reflect his artistic identity and the two distinct personas he embodies. He describes his sound as experimental, blending a variety of genres, including Soul, R&B, Hip-hop, Afro-pop, and Dance. This versatility and his distinct voice are what he uses to captivate a broad and diverse audience. His art is inspired by the likes of A-Reece, Nasty C, Emtee, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd. His latest release has captured people's attention, with fans starting to compare him with the likes of A-Reece as they find his pen game stronger. Despite these comparisons, MAKHOSONKE dreams of one day collaborating with two of his heroes, A-Reece and Nasty C, to bring his unique sound to a wider audience.

His latest single, “LJ, Pt. I (Rap Version),” is a powerful reflection of his artistic growth. Released on September 5th, 2025, the song is a lead single from his upcoming album. The title “LJ” is a personal reference to an ex, an abbreviation of their name. Produced by Script and KayBlocky, the track is a blend of Rap and R&B. It channels themes of heartbreak, loss, and nostalgia from a past relationship. Makhosonke explains that the lyrics came easily because he was channelling a real-life experience.

“Seasons change we engage in this illusion we allude It's love; we get attached it gets difficult to get out abandon ship, it gets trickier memories like cell bars.” He believes this line beautifully captures the feeling of being trapped by shared memories in a relationship that has fallen apart.

Listen to “LJ, Pt. I (Rap Version),” HERE