New age pantsula and Amapiano sensation, Toss (real name Pholoso Masombuka), is the next recipient of Apple Music’s Up Next program, a local version of their global emerging artist platform which is now in its third year.
As the fresh face and gravely-toned voice of Amapiano, Toss relishes the opportunity to be featured in South Africa’s local Up Next program, Apple Music’s artist initiative geared towards shining a spotlight on upcoming talent.
Hailing from the township of Tsakane, east of Johannesburg, Toss merges his deep, hip-hop-rooted timbre with captivating dance moves, and has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and promising new acts on the scene.
“When I was told that I would be featured as the Up Next artist, I was speechless. It is wild. I am still amazed at how much a year could have changed my life and humbled by the support I have received from the likes of Apple Music,”
he tells Apple Music.
After releasing “Umlando” in January 2022, alongside 9umba and Mdoovar, Toss sparked a dance craze of the same name after a video of him shaking his hips spread like wildfire across the world, earning the trio the SAMA for Viral Song of the Year.
His debut EP Umlando (2022) capitalised on his new-found success and reaffirmed his passion for storytelling at the core of his music, and with his new single “Tetema” (2023) feat. Young Stunna and Tyler ICU, he aims to carve out a space for an authentic South African narrative on a global scale.
