Daniel Phakoe was born in Mafokeng, South Africa where he was known as Sox the footballer by his schoolmates. His soccer career ended due to a leg injury. William Mthethwa, another football player turned musician, encouraged him to pursue a music career. Sox began by playing drums for a local band named Joyco.

In 1979, he left Mafokeng for Tembisa where he played with Sam Mthembu’s Hot Soul Singers for eight years. In 1987, Sox decided to go solo and met another former member of Hot Soul Singers, Thami Mdluli, who was a producer at Eric Frisch Productions. Mdludli produced his debut album The Master. His first major hit single titled Don't Call Me Lejapere (don't call me a horse eater) was released on his 1988 album Come Back Home.