Toss Amapiano - Biography, Career and Songs

Pholoso Masombuka Leburu, popularly known as Toss, is an emerging South African musician known for his talents in songwriting, Amapiano music, dancing, and singing. In January 2022, Toss gained widespread attention after creating the uMlando dance challenge, which quickly went viral. This challenge followed the release of his hit song 'uMlando,' featuring 9umba and Mdoovar. Toss rose to fame when a video of him dancing shirtless to the song's catchy hook surfaced online, sparking a dance craze that swept across South Africa as people enthusiastically participated in the challenge.

Early Life

Originally from Tsakane, South Africa, Toss was born Pholoso Masombuka in 2000. He adopted his stage name, Toss, which means 'fire,' during his time in a development soccer program for Kaizer Chiefs. Growing up in Tsakane, Brakpan, Masombuka developed an interest in kwaito music, which led him to start dancing. He became well-known for his pantsula dance moves in Tsakane, located east of Johannesburg.

When he moved to the Vaal region, Toss connected with other artists who introduced him to hip-hop music, further broadening his musical influences. While studying drama, he discovered a deep passion for music, eventually leading to his breakout hit, 'uMlando.' This song became one of his most significant successes, sparking a nationwide dance challenge and solidifying his place in the South African music scene.

Career

After graduating from high school, Toss initially aimed to become a professional soccer player. His talent on the field earned him a spot in the development program of the Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa's top football clubs. However, his aspirations were cut short due to his misbehavior, which led to him being sent home. In 2014, Toss decided to pivot and pursue a career in music instead. His journey in the music industry began when he met Mduduzi Memela, better known as Mdoovar, a renowned music producer who helped kickstart his career.

Toss's entry into the Amapiano scene began to gain traction when he released his debut single, 'Umlando,' in 2022. Teaming up with Mdoovar and producer 9umba, they collaborated to create the hit 'uMlando.' The song quickly gained massive airplay, especially after Toss introduced a viral dance challenge to accompany it. This clever strategy built anticipation for the release and significantly boosted the track's popularity. The dance challenge resonated widely, even catching the attention of international celebrities from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.

Following the success of 'uMlando,' Toss continued to captivate audiences with his unique Amapiano sound, releasing more infectious melodies and groovy beats. The success of the initial collaboration prompted the trio to promise further collaborations both as a group and individually. Toss revealed that he relies on Mdoovar for mentorship and guidance in navigating the music industry, much like Mdoovar is doing with 9umba, whose real name is Letlotlo-la-Bakuena Latlatsa.

Toss has an impressive discography that showcases his versatility as an artist. Some of his notable songs include 'Umlando,' 'Manika Nika,' and 'Manca.' Each of these tracks has garnered millions of streams on various music platforms, solidifying Toss's position as a rising star in the Amapiano genre.

In addition to his standalone songs, Toss has released several successful projects. His debut album, 'uMlando,' which he released as an Extended Play (EP) in 2022, received critical acclaim. The album features a diverse range of tracks, each highlighting Toss's unique sound and style. It showcases his growth as an artist and his ability to experiment with different musical elements while staying true to the core Amapiano essence.

Discography

Albums

2022 - uMlando

EPs

2023 - Thought It Was Over

Singles

2017 - คนึงเจ้า

2019 - สิ่งที่อยากบอก

2020 - Jingle Bells

2021 - Любовь

2021 - Angazi

2021 - The One Who Knocks

2022 - uMlando

2022 - iPHOKOPHOKO

2022 - Umthetho

2022 - Nuclear Danger

2022 - Ncebeleka

2023 - Tetema

2023 - High Speed Orchestra

2023 - Bring It On You MF

2023 - Kaytoxic (Whistle Breaker)

2023 - VATELA

2023 - Hotspot Remix

2023 - Mabadle Basuthe

2023 - Lie

2024 - Bang Harder

2024 - Небо-Земля