"John Cena" is a song by South African rapper Sho Madjozi. It was made about the WWE professional wrestler John Cena. It was released as a single through Flourish & Multiply Records on 27 September 2019, after being performed on the global music platform, COLORS, uploaded on 15 August 2019.[1][2] The song was written by Sho Madjozi and produced by Tboy Daflame and DJ Exit.[3]
| "John Cena" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Sho Madjozi | ||||
| Released | 27 September 2019 | |||
| Genre | Gqom | |||
| Length | 3:02 | |||
| Label | Flourish & Multiply | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Sho Madjozi | |||
| Producer(s) | Tboy Daflame & DJ Exit | |||
| Sho Madjozi singles chronology | ||||
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Background
edit"John Cena" was written independently by Sho Madjozi. On 14 August 2019, COLORS announced Sho Madjozi would be the next artist to be featured on the platform. COLORS and Madjozi uploaded the performance on the next day.[4][5] The song was produced by Tboy Daflame, who previously produced Madjozi's 2018 songs, which include "If I Die" and the single, "Idhom", all from her debut album Limpopo Champions League.[6] The song was released as a single to streaming and digital platforms through Flourish & Multiply Records on 27 September 2019.[7]
Composition
edit"John Cena" is a gqom song with hip hop vocals featuring the languages Tsonga, Swahili and English in its lyrics.[8][9] According to Cape Talk and 702, Madjozi said: "I grew up watching American professional wrestler John Cena, so it was only natural to make a jam about him."[10][11]
Live performances
editAs her debut, Sho Madjozi performed the song on COLORS, standing next to the mic in the studio covered with blue background.[12] After the formation of the social media challenge "John Cena Challenge", many individuals engaged on the challenge, leading the song to become viral.[13] Following the spread of the challenge, John Cena himself was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he was asked by Ellen DeGeneres to dance to the song alongside Stephen Boss.[14][15]
The song was also performed by Sho Madjozi at several events throughout South Africa and other regions, including the Afropunk Festival held on 13 October 2019 in Atlanta, US.[16] Madjozi performed the song on The Kelly Clarkson Show in November 2019. During the performance, she was surprised by John Cena dancing right behind her while she was performing. It was the first time she met Cena in person.[17] On 17 November 2019, Madjozi performed the song on the finale of the South African-franchise of the reality television singing competition Idols, for season 15.[18]
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 27 September 2019 |
|
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References
edit- ^ "Sho Madjozi officially releases full length version of 'John Cena'". The Citizen.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi - John Cena". COLORSXSTUDIOS.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi – John Cena Lyrics". Genius Lyrics.
- ^ "COLORS: Sho Madjozi set to take over popular YouTube show". The South African.
- ^ "Watch Sho Madjozi Perform a New Song 'John Cena' on A COLORS SHOW". OkayAfrica.
- ^ "Tboy Daflame". Genius.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi officially drops "John Cena"". The FADER.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi Officially Releases 'John Cena'". OkayAfrica.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi raps in Swahili on John Cena track and blows minds". MSN.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi officially drops viral hit 'John Cena' and shares inspo behind it". Cape Talk.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi officially drops viral hit 'John Cena' and shares inspo behind it". 702.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi is the Next Artist on International Platform 'COLORS'". COSMOPOLITAN South Africa.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi's 'John Cena' sparks viral, worldwide challenge". TimesLIVE.
- ^ "John Cena Dances It Up To Sho Madjozi's Track Named After Him On The Ellen DeGeneres Show". Essence.
- ^ "John Cena Rocks Out To Sho Madjozi On Ellen". People Magazine.
- ^ "Watch! Sho Madjozi Sends Crowd Into A Frenzy Performing In Atlanta". SA Hip Hop Mag.
- ^ "WATCH: Sho Madjozi finally meets John Cena". Enca. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ "Sho Madjozi is live performer goals". ZAlebs.