Wezi | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Victoria Wezi Mhone |
Also known as | Wezi HeartSound |
Born | Ndola, Zambia | 25 May 1992
Origin | Ndola, Zambia |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
|
Instrument(s) |
|
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels |
|
Victoria Wezi Mhone (born 25 May 1992), known in music circles as Wezi or Wezi HeartSound, is a Zambian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in 2016 after releasing her debut EP-Uhai which won her the 2016 new artist of the year at the Zambian Music Awards. [1] [2] [3] Wezi released a song called "Isa Bantu Tyala" featuring Pilato and "Take My Heart", song cover, which was produced by Chali Bravo, released on 8 April 2020.
Wezi is the second born daughter in a family of four from her parents pastor Royce Chanje and the late Apostle Simon Mhone. She was raised by her uncle, her mother's elder brother, on the Copperbelt in Ndola province, Zambia. Wezi started singing at the age of seven and was encouraged by her parents. She started writing poems and songs at the age of 11. She received her primary education at North Rise basic school where she was the president of the CHONGOLOLO CLUB and the leader of the scripture Union with Zambian singer T Low and Namibian-based youth leader Joseph Kalimbwe who attended the same school in Ndola. Wezi later attended and completed high school at a Dominican convent secondary school where she was an active member of the drama club, keep fit club & the president of Young Christian Students (YCS). In 2013, she was enrolled into the school of humanities and social sciences at the University of Zambia. [4]
Wezi officially signed her first record deal in 2013 with Bizzy Baila International which was co owned by Tsean and Tbwoy-Tbizzy.Under the record label, she released 3 singles Ambuya, Nipulumuseni and Tichitenji which was produced by T-Sean. [5] She opted out of her contract in 2014 and later signed on to Vibrant media where she recorded several songs but non was released. Shortly after her deal with vibrant media, she joined MOJO Music where she was only able to release one song after several recordings. In 2016 she released her first EP -Uhia as an independent artist [6] which won her the award for the best new artist at the 2016 Zambian music awards. In 2017, she was nominated for the Kora Awards. [7] In 2018 she signed on to Elation Entertainment, a Zambian-based record label. [8] Wezi took part in the annual Stanbic bank music festival in Zambia in 2016, 2017 and 2018 where she perform alone side rnb group Boyz II Men and award-winning UK-based pop-reggae band UB40, Joe Thomas and Brian McKnight. [9] [10] [11] In march 2018 she performed at the Lake of Stars Festival(LoS) held in London and Glasgow Scotland as a headline act alongside the likes of Frightened Rabbits(England), M.anifest(Ghana), Faith Musa(Malawi). [12] She later performed at the Harare International Arts Festival (HIFA) in Zimbabwe held between 1 and 6 May. [13] In April, 2020 Wezi released a cover song called "Take My Heart" produced by Bravo and released another hit called "Ise Bantu Tyala" featuring Pilato. In november of 2021, she collaborated with other artist to throw light on the ills of the country by releasing Rich Country Poor People [14] .
Wezi was nominated for the Grammys awards after featuring on a raggie collaboration in 2021 [15] .
With the national female team of Zambia qualifying to the fifa world cup for the first time in their history, Wezi and two other artists were made the official music ambassador for the national team thereby releasing the official team song Copper Queens Anthem [16] .
In 2016, she attended the African Union summit and later in the same year was appointed by the late Minister of Gender as Gender's ambassador on the campaigns against early child marriages & gender-based violence. [17] Wezi served as an advocate for conservation of natural water sources after taking part in the 2017 World Wide Fund for Nature ( WWF) Journey of Water. [18]
Uhai (EP, 2016) [19]
Zambia is a developing country, and it achieved middle-income status in 2011. Through the first decade of the 21st century, the economy of Zambia was one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, and its capital, Lusaka, the fastest-growing city in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zambia's economic performance has stalled in recent years due to declining copper prices, significant fiscal deficits, and energy shortages.
The music of Zambia has a rich heritage which falls roughly into categories of traditional, popular and Christian music.
Jordan Katembula known professionally as JK, is a Zambian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Zambian music and the R&B genre in Zambia.
Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, known on stage as Somi or Somi Kakoma, is a Grammy-nominated American-born singer, songwriter, playwright, and actor of Rwandan and Ugandan descent. Somi is the first African woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award in a Jazz category.
Mufulira Wanderers are Zambia's most successful football club, based in the Copperbelt town of Mufulira and currently playing in the Zambia Super League for the 2023/2024 season after their promotion from the Zambia National Division One.
Kimbra Lee Johnson, known mononymously as Kimbra, is a New Zealand singer and songwriter. Known for mixing pop with R&B, jazz and rock musical elements, her accolades include four ARIA Music Awards, two Grammy Awards and seven New Zealand Music Awards. Her musical influences range from Prince and Minnie Riperton to Björk and Jeff Buckley.
Zambian Breweries Plc is part of Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABInBev), the largest brewer in the world, with more than 400 beer brands and some 200,000 employees in over 50 countries.
Victoria Loren Kelly is an American singer-songwriter. She first gained recognition after posting videos on YouTube as a teenager, and made it through to Hollywood week on the ninth season of American Idol in 2010. Thereafter, she independently released her self-produced debut EP in 2012, Handmade Songs.
Mirriam Mukape, popularly known as Mampi, is a Zambian singer, actress and songwriter. Her music is kwaito and reggae inspired. She is one of the most viewed Zambian female artists on YouTube.
Zone Fam was a Zambian hip hop supergroup based in Lusaka, composed of Sam Sakala, Jackson Banda, Reginald Lube, and previously Timbwama Chisenga Kaputula until his departure from the group on April 1, 2015. It was a collective of solo artists that frequented "Zone Studios" started by Duncan Sodala also known as Holstar and Kati Kawanu in 2006. Zone Fam Officially became a Rap group in 2009 after recording "The Full Script" Mixtape with Nigerian producer Teck-zilla. They gained popularity after the release of their debut album single Shaka Zulu On Em which received nationwide airplay, topping radio charts and got worldwide reviews off YouTube. In 2011 they went on and released their first studio album, The Business: Foreign Exchange, which was the bestseller of that year. In 2012, Zone Fam signed their first international deal under record label Taurus Musik of Kenya, which helped them produce songs several songs and visuals namely, Translate, "Da Bidness" and Contolola, which won them a Channel O Award at the Channel O Music Video Awards for Best Group. They also have to their name the award for Best African Group at the Global African Music Awards. The group is currently disbanded and was managed by Duncan Sodala between 2009 and 2014 - He also manages the Zone Fam brand.
Katongo Temba, known mononymously as Katongo or "KT", is a Zambian-born British singer, songwriter and model. Her genre of music is Afropop.
Tourism in Zambia relates to tourism in the African nation Zambia. The tourism industry is a major and growing industry in Zambia. Zambia has more than 2500 lions along with several National parks, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and historic monuments. Zambia has been involved in several agreements on tourism with nations like Uganda and Kenya. Uganda Ministry of Tourism and Arts said Zambia is a model in tourism in Africa. Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) has partnered with the Government through the Ministry of Tourism and private sector to enhance the marketing aspect in the tourism industry.
Edwin Maso was a Zambian footballer who featured for his country during their first ever African Cup of Nations appearance in Egypt in 1974. A full-back for Ndola United, Mbaso was crowned Zambian Footballer of the Year in 1975.
Fumba Chama, known professionally as Pilato, is a Zambian hip hop recording artist from Ndola. The name Pilato written as pilAto is an acronym for People in Lyrical Arena Taking Over. Born and raised in the Copperbelt province, pilAto commenced his career as a poet at the age of 10, before formally moving into the music industry in 2010, when poetry became his music. Pilato has released three studio albums.
Mukubesa Mundia, better known by his stage name Petersen Zagaze is a Zambian Reggae and Afro Dancehall recording artist and record producer from Lusaka, Zambia. He initially gained major recognition after his third single in 2005 Munyaule. Petersen a holder of a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Public Administration is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of his own label imprint, Zaga Lyfe Entertainment, Octopus Media and 2016 Kora Awards Best Male Southern Africa Nominee.
Buildcon FC is a Zambian football club based in Ndola that plays in the MTN/FAZ Super Division. It is known for having an African multi-national squad.
Masautso Nkhoma known professionally as Ruff Kid is a Zambian rapper and songwriter. He debuted in 2004 with his single Wekatemwikwa. Because of the rough childhood he went through, he decide to name himself Ruff Kid, a name that will always depict and remind him of his hard life as an adolescent. In 2012 he won a BEFFTA award in the category of best international act beating out other African music heavy weights such as Zahara, Camp Mulla, Cover Driver, D’banj and Grace Galaxy
Mwila Musonda, known professionally as Slapdee, is a Zambian hip hop and rap musician. Having won multiple awards since his debut in 2006, he is often regarded one of the pioneers of Zambian hip-hop.
Bwalya Sophie Chibesakunda, better known by her stage name Bombshell Grenade which is written as Bomb$hell Grenade or simply Bombshell, is a Zambian rapper, singer, actress and the 2021 AFRIMMA Best Female Rapper in Africa. She first gained public recognition after the release of her single "The Berg" featuring Jay Rox. Grenade subsequently provided guest vocals for the Kaladoshas song "They Don't Know".
Janet Achieng Otieno popularly known as Janet Otieno, is a singer and songwriter of gospel music from Kenya. She was the winner of Mwafaka Awards and nominated at Groove Awards for "Collaboration of the year" in 2014 for the song "Napokea Kwako" which featured Christina Shusho from Tanzania.