Zuchu | |
---|---|
Birth name | Zuhura Othman Soud [1] |
Also known as | Zuchu |
Born | Zanzibar, Tanzania | November 22, 1993
Genres | Bongo flava, Baibuda |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, dancer |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2020–present |
Labels | WCB Wasafi |
Zuhura Othman Soud better known by her stage name Zuchu, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born on November 22,1993 in Zanzibar. She is currently based in Dar es Salaam and is signed to WCB Wasafi record label. [2]
Awards
Zuchu was awarded the Silver Plaque Button by YouTube for hitting 100,000 subscribers within a week. [3] She became the first East African female artist to reach that milestone within a week. She also became the first East African female artist to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube 11 months later. [4] [5]
In 2020, Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the Emerging Artist Award winner. [6]
In 2023 Zuchu bagged 5 nominations at the Soundcity MVP Awards and also performed at the prestigious award show. [7]
In April 2023 Zuchu made history as she won 5 awards at the Tanzania Music Awards. [8] [9]
In June 2023, Zuchu through her label (WCB) announced that the singer had surpassed 500 million views on Youtube making her the first female artist in East Africa and the fifth female artist in Africa to achieve this milestone. [10]
Zuchu comes from a musical Swahili Zanzibari family. She is the daughter of the Zanzibari Taarab musician Khadija Kopa. [11] [12] Zuchu's Father, Othman Soud used to be a songwriter for Khadija Kopa and TOT Band when it was at its peak but later on switched to become a police officer.
Through her mother Khadija Kopa, Zuchu was able to meet Diamond Platnumz and get an audition. After meeting Diamond, Zuchu performed two songs as a tryout. Her emotional performance of the song Wana, later used as her debut song, impressed Diamond Platnumz, who accepted her to join the Wasafi Family in 2016. [13]
Zuchu in various occasions has confirmed dating the WCB Wasafi, Diamond Platnumz. [14] [15] [16]
Zuchu started singing at a tender age and later collaborated with her mother Khadija Kopa on a song titled "Mauzauza" from her debut EP I am Zuchu. Among her first appearances as a musician to the public date back to 2015 in the first edition of TECNO OWN THE STAGE in Lagos, Nigeria [17] which she auditioned together with Tanzanian singer, Nandy.
In 2022, Zuchu became the most subscribed female artist on Sub Saharan Africa on Youtube [18] and few months later she became the first female artist in East Africa to clock 100 Million streams on Boomplay. [19]
In 2022, Zuchu became the first female artist in East Africa to earn a nomination at the MTV EMAs. [20]
Zuchu started 2023 with a new single titled Utaniua, Utaniua was critically acclaimed as Tanzania's music journalist, Charles Maganga appreciated Utaniua as an intimate song where Zuchu pays homage to Bongo Flava and Baibuda [21]
In March 2023, Zuchu released her first official music video for the year 2023 for a new single titled Napambana. [22]
In 2023, Zuchu's 2021 hit titled Sukari was positioned at number 8 by Notjustok on their list of the best Tanzanian songs of the decade ranging from 2012-2022 [23]
Zuchu released her debut EP album I Am Zuchu in 2020, with a total of 7 songs. [24] [25]
Year | Title | Album |
---|---|---|
2021 | "Yalah" "Nyumba ndogo" | |
2020 | "Cheche" (feat. Diamond Platnumz) "Litawachoma" (feat. Diamond Platnumz) | Side2side |
2020 | "Hakuna Kulala" "Nisamehe" | I Am Zuchu |
2020 | "Tanzania ya Sasa" "Shangilia" | |
Bongo Flava is a nickname for Tanzanian music. The genre developed in the 1990s, mainly as a derivative of American hip hop and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi. Lyrics are usually in Swahili or English.
The 12th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam, on Saturday March 26, 2011. Bongo Flava artist 20 Percent was the big winner of the night with five trophies out of seven nominations. The artist himself was not present and he was represented by his producer Man Water. Winner Lady Jaydee was also absent during the Award ceremony and a fan collected the two awards on her behalf. The artist later stated she had not received an invitation for the event. Singer Diamond Platnumz, who won three awards in the 2010 Tanzania Music Awards was nominated in four categories, although he was among those who left empty-handed.
The 13th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Mlimani City Conference Center in Dar es Salaam, on Saturday 14 April 2012. The event was anchored by Vanessa Mdee and Millard Ayo. The nominees were announced on 8 February 2012 with Bongo Flava artist Diamond Platnumz topping the list with seven nominations. Two days after the list was released, four-time nominee Dully Sykes announced his withdrawal from the event. He stated 'it does not contribute to my growth whatsoever, and this contest is full of lies'. After leaving the 2011 Tanzania Music Awards empty-handed, Diamond Platnumz made a return by winning three awards, including Best Male Artist and Best Video.
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube.
Ali Saleh Kiba, best known as Ali Kiba or occasionally as King Kiba, is a Tanzanian musician and songwriter. He is one of the most talented musicians in East Africa and mostly considered the King of Bongo Flava music Genre. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label and the Crown Media Group. With hit songs such as Mwana, Aje, Chekecha Cheketua, Cinderella, Nakshi Mrembo, Usiniseme, Dushelele, Single Boy with Lady Jaydee, Mapenzi Yana Run Dunia,mahaba,mama with legendary yvone chaka chaka and Macmuga. Ali Kiba is usually regarded as one of the most successful Bongo Flava stars usually associated with close rivalry with Diamond Platnumz.
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