Libianca

Last updated

Libianca
Libianca WHTA interview 2023 2.png
Libianca in 2023
Born
Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji

2001 (age 2223)
Citizenship
  • Cameroon
  • United States
Musical career
Origin Bamenda, Cameroon
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • audio engineer
Years active2019–present
Labels
  • West Side Creative
  • 5K
  • RCA

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji (born 2001), known mononymously as Libianca, is a Cameroonian and American singer. She is best known for her breakout Afrobeats single "People" (2022). She previously competed in the 21st season of American TV show The Voice in 2021.

Contents

Early life

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji was born in 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. [2] [3]  In an interview with BBC News Pidgin , Libianca recalled that when she was four years old, her family experienced issues with immigration. [3] Her mother decided to have the family relocate to Bamenda, Cameroon, before they could be deported. [4] In her upbringing in Bamenda, Libianca sung in gospel choirs and attended a boarding school, where she learned how to play the guitar. [5]


2021–present: The Voice and "People"

In 2021, Libianca competed on the twenty-first season of NBC's The Voice , where Blake Shelton was her coach. [6] [7] She made her way to the top 20 before being eliminated. [8] Her covers of "Everything I Wanted" and "Woman" on the show were later released as singles via West Side Creative Agency.[ citation needed ]

Libianca signed to 5K Records and Sony in 2022. [9] In December of that year, she released "People", a song inspired by her cyclothymia. The song debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, at No. 1 in UK Afrobeats chart, peaked at No. 2 in UK Official chart, and received wide attention across social media. [10]

Libianca performed as an opening at Alicia Keys' 2023 Keys to the Summer Tour. [11]

Artistry

Libianca takes influence from genres prevalent in her upbringing, such as Cameroonian music, Nigerian music, and highlife. She describes her music as an "intersection of R&B, Afrobeats, [and] soul". Her songwriting has been praised by publications such as Complex UK for its honesty. [12] [ better source needed ]

Discography

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected details
TitleDetails
Walk Away
  • Released: December 8, 2023
  • Format: Digital
  • Label: 5K Records, Sony

Singles

List of singles and selected peak chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertifications
AUS
[13]
CAN
[14]
FRA
[15]
NLD
[16]
NZ
[17]
SWE
[18]
SWI
[16]
UK
[19]
US
[20]
WW
[21]
"Level"2019
"My Place"2020
"Revenge"
"Thank You"2021
"Special Lovin'"
"People"20222239191216928020
"Jah" [30] 2023

Other charted songs

List of other charted songs and selected peak chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
Hot

[31]
"Mistaken"
(with Oxlade and Chlöe)
202416Walk Away

Awards

Africa Entertainment Awards USA

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023HerselfBest Francophone Female Artist/GroupPending [32]
Best Female ArtistPending
"People"Song of the YearPending

The Future Awards Africa

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 HerselfPrize for MusicPending [33]

MTV Video Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResultRef.
2023 People Best Afrobeats Nominated [34]

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References

  1. Conteh, Mankaprr (January 20, 2023). "Libianca Is the Afro Soul Siren Who Can Do Everything". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  2. Ihejirika, Uzoma (January 23, 2023). "Best New Music: Libianca's "People (Check On Me)" Gets Real About Mental Health". The NATIVE. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Edu, DJ (March 4, 2023). "Africa Live this week: 27 February-5 March 2023". BBC News. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  4. "Libianca: Di true story behind di star of 'more alcohol' song, People". BBC News Pidgin (in Pidgin (Cameroon)). March 11, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. Buchan, Kit (July 29, 2023). "One to watch: Libianca". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  6. Henderson, Cydney. "'The Voice': Blake Shelton 'heartbroken' after eliminating his own 'God's Country' singer". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  7. Donnellan, Sara (October 7, 2021). "WATCH: 'The Voice' Contestant Picks Coach Based on a Sign from God". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  8. Tribune, Neal Justin Star. "Minnesota contestant Libianca eliminated from 'The Voice'". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  9. "Rising Star Libianca Shares Visuals To Hit 'People' – OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  10. Rys, Heran Mamo,Dan; Mamo, Heran; Rys, Dan (January 24, 2023). "Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month: Burna Boy, Libianca, Aya Nakamura & More". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Portugal, Andrew (May 13, 2023). "'The Voice' Alum Libianca Set to Perform Alongside Alicia Keys on the Keys to the Summer Tour". Talent Recap. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  12. Aklilu, Rahel. "Libianca Takes The World!". Complex. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
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  14. "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 20, 2023". Billboard . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
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  21. "Billboard Global 200: Week of May 27, 2023". Billboard . Retrieved May 23, 2023.
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  24. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Libianca)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
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  27. "American certifications – Libianca". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved May 31, 2023.
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  30. "JAH DROPS THIS MONTH 🤪🤪🤪🤪I've been itching to drop 😂I'm trying out new things with the song while waiting😁" . Retrieved June 5, 2023 via Instagram.
  31. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  32. Hansen, Gabriel Meyers (September 15, 2023). "Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2023: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  33. "FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023". TheCable Lifestyle. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  34. MTV. "Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2023.