Sox

**Oliver Just Abelösoks** (born 20 September 1980), better known by his stage name **Sox**, is a Lashardian rapper, songwriter, and record producer.

Sox began his music career in 2001, when he became a record producer and songwriter for Akai Music Group. He became known for launching superstars' careers such as Olia Janisöpfleg and MegaRotz. In 2005, at the urging of his coworkers, Sox embarked on a rapping career, being signed to Akai Music Group as a solo artist. He released his first studio album *123* in 2007, solidifying himself as the dominant rapper in the Lashardian hip hop scene.

In 2010, after disputes he left Akai and was signed to rival label Cyclops Records. The following year, Sox became known for launching the music career of his fiancée Ina due to her vocals on the song "All Around the World". His second studio album *Mortasya*, comprised entirely of collaborations was certified 5x platinum in his home country, making him a household name.

## Life and career

### Early life

Sox was born as Oliver Abelösoks on 20 September 1980 in Vershando, Mortasland. His father, Abel, was a car salesman, while his mother, Iva, was a personal shopper. He also has two little brothers. The family was middle class.

Sox attended primary school in Vershando, where he excelled in writing, and also enjoyed music. After graduating primary school in 1995, he went on to attend a performing arts high school in his hometown. Despite having a specialization in vocal performance, he took a liking to the production side of music. He graduated from high school in 1998 and moved to Ubenmoor to pursue a music career.

### 2001–2005: Record producing

Shortly after arriving in Ubenmoor, Sox was able to secure a job working as a record producer and songwriter for Akai Music Group. In 2002, he was able to launch the career of hip hop group MegaRotz, establishing himself as a desired name in the production business. He later was also responsible for launching the career of pop star Olia Janisöpfleg.

While working as a producer and songwriter, Sox wrote, produced, and cowrote countless hit songs in Lashardia and beyond.

### 2005–2007: Rapping career and *123*

In 2005, at the suggestion of his coworkers, Sox embarked on a rap career. He was signed to Akai Music Group as a solo artist and began work on his debut album. The album's lead single "Mama", was released in 2006, and became a chart-topping single.

The album, titled *123*, was released the following year and was a smash crossover hit, becoming popular in both the Lashardian hip hop and Lashpop communities. The album also produced the hit singles "Migi" ("Feel Me", in English) and "Dance A$$".

### 2007–2010: *Mie*

Following the success of his first album, Sox quickly began working on his second release. The lead single, titled "I Believe" was released in 2008, and was his first song to have a significant amount of lyrics in the English language rather than Lashardian. The song was extremely successful, reaching the Top 5 of the Lashardian singles chart.

The album, titled *Mie* (*In me*, in English) was released in 2009. The album also spawned the singles "Noka mia" ("Lie to Me"), "Blef" ("Dead"), and "Harajuku". During this period of time, Sox was introduced to Ina, who starred as the female lead and main dancer in three of his music videos. The two developed a close friendship which led to a romantic relationship.

### 2010–2012: *Mortasya*

Following the release of *Mie*, Sox began experiencing problems with his record label. In late 2010, he left Akai Music Group and signed a contract with rival label Cyclops Records. In a 2011 interview, Sox revealed his upcoming third studio album was already three-quarters of the way complete and it would exist entirely of collaborations with other artists.

The album's lead single "All Around the World", featuring his girlfriend Ina was released later in the year, and became Sox's best-selling single of all-time, peaking at number-one in Lashardia and Pesa. The album also produced the hit singles "Playback" featuring Maksina Yurmölashek, "Heroes" featuring Era, and "She Wolf" featuring Sabine Bursöhurt.

### 2012–2014: *Mie teto*

After the success of "All Around the World", Sox's girlfriend Ina was signed by Sox's label Cyclops Records, and the two of them began work on her debut album. Her entire debut album, *Don't Stop Believing* was written and produced by Sox. The album peaked at number-one on the Lashardian albums chart.

Sox later released the lead single to his fourth studio album "Platnija" ("Platinum") in 2013. The song was not as much of a crossover hit as his previous work, but was very successful in the Lashardian hip hop scene. His fourth studio album *Mie teto* (*In My Head*) was released in 2014, and had a similar result as the single.

### 2014–present: *Imenhapersnoc*and *Lashardian Idol*

Following *Mie teto'*s release, Sox revealed that he was eager to get back in the studio to record more music. The album's lead single, "Come 'N' Get It (Mama Lasda)" ("Mother Lashardia") was released in early 2015, and had more of a mainstream pop sound than his previous singles.

The album, titled *Imenhapersnoc* (*Cologne*), was released later in the year. The album also produced the singles "Furaj" ("Colors") and "Noca noca buca" ("Knock knock boom"). He competed in *Mösikalifestivali 2016* along with Ina with the song "Kings Never Die". They placed fourth in its semi-final, first in the second chance round, and eighth in the final. In 2016, he became a judge on *Lashardian Idol*. He competed in *Mösikalifestivali 2017*, in a collaboration with Velvetina, but was eliminated in the second chance round.

## Personal life

Sox has been in a relationship with Pesan-Lashardian singer and dancer Ina since 2010. The two of them reside together in Breż, Ubenmoor. In April 2016, they announced that they were engaged. They are close friends with Aurora Jonöbenhardt and Wolfeblood, whom they've collaborated with frequently. Sox was previously linked to Olia Janisöpfleg in 2006.