Vanessa Mdee

Vanessa Mdee
Born
Vanessa Hau Mdee

(1988-06-07) 7 June 1988
Arusha, Tanzania
Other namesVee Money
Occupations
  • Singer
  • rapper
  • VJ
  • television personality
  • radio host
Years active2007–2020
PartnerRotimi
Children2
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
  • B'hits Music Group
  • Universal Music Group
Websitevanessamdee.com

Vanessa Hau Mdee (born 7 June 1988),[1] is a former Tanzanian recording artist, MTV VJ, television personality and radio host. She hosted Epic Bongo Star Search and Dume Challenge for ITV Tanzania before signing to B'Hits Music Group in late 2012.[2]

In 2015 and 2016, Mdee released three singles ("Nobody But Me," "Never Ever" and "Niroge"). In 2018, she was signed to Universal Music Group.[3]

During her Deep Dive With Vanessa Mdee Podcast in 2020, Mdee announced that she was quitting the music industry, citing pressure and depression.[4][5][6][7]

Early life and education

Mdee was born on 7 June 1988 in Arusha, the third-largest city in Tanzania, but grew up in New York, Paris, Nairobi and Arusha. She obtained her secondary and high level education at Arusha Modern High School. Mdee attended university at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa to pursue a law degree[8].

Career

In early 2007, Mdee auditioned for the MTV VJ Search in Dar es Salaam. Afterwards, she joined Carol and Kule to host the Coca-Cola Chart Express. By 2008, Mdee had established herself in Tanzania, hosting shows in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

2008: MTV Staying Alive

In 2008, Mdee worked with the Staying Alive Foundation on a project close to her heart. She got to visit the Uwanja wa Fisi with then-Staying Alive Foundation Special Ambassador Kelly Rowland. Mdee also joined Malaria No More in their Z!nduka Campaign, a campaign aimed at the eradication of malaria.

2009

In early 2009 Mdee hosted Senses, Sounds and Wisdom with Zantel during the annual Sauti Za Busara International Music Festival, showcasing Swahili culture.

2011: Choice FM Tanzania and other media projects

In 2011, Mdee's became the host of 102.5 Choice FM's The Hitlist.[9]

Along with her pan-African weekly TV show, MTV's Base Select 10 and daily radio gig, Mdee blogged as a roving reporter on behalf of MTV Staying Alive and UNAIDS. She was MTV's voice at the 2011 UNAIDS Mali Youth Summit in Bamako and the subsequent High Level meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, She participated in the International Conference on HIV and STI's in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and cofounded (along with M. K. Asante) STANDWIDTH, under the UNAIDS umbrella. Damian Kimt.

2012: MTV Base Meets and music premier

Mdee launched her music career in 2012, working on the single "Me and You" by Ommy Dimpoz. A month later 13 January 2013 – she released her first single "Closer". These scored her four nominations at Tanzania's Music Awards (Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards), including "Bongo Pop Song of the year", which she won.[10] She also won Collaboration of the Year.[10]

2013

In 2013, Mdee took part in the Global Shapers work as part of the Dar es Salaam hub of the World Economic Forum. In October 2013 Mdee joined the GAVI Alliance again at the UN General Assembly where she spoke on a panel with Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda. This trip ended with Mdee closing the NASDAQ by ringing the ceremonial closing bell, along with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe and Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, President of Mali. Mdee was in turn awarded by the Global Health and Diplomacy for her work in advocacy.[11]

Mdee hosted MTV Base's Hunters Oasis; a music festival around Africa with appearances from some of the African continents hottest artists and DJs. She also hosted Tanzania's Epiq Bongo Star Search Season 7 and Dume Challenge, seasons 1 and 2.[1] Mdee also released her second single "Come Over" in November 2013.

2014: Music, Awards, Airtel, Coke Studio, Crown Paints, Music Tours

In 2014, Mdee was nominated for 3 Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year, R&B Song of the Year and Female Performer of the Year. On 3 May 2014, she won for R&B Song of the Year for Closer. Mdee released her third single Hawajui on 13 June.

Mdee was featured in an advertisement for the "Switch On" Airtel campaign.[12]

Mdee alongside Nomuzi Mabena presented the Best Collaboration Award and Best Francophone Award. During the trip to Durban, South Africa she interviewed Trey Songz, Miguel and French Montana.

Mdee was featured in season II of Coke Studio Africa along with Nigeria's Burna Boy.[13]

Kili Music Tour; Vanessa Mdee was among the artists that graced the Kili Music Tour 2014 stage in Mwanza and the finale in Dar es Salaam. Serengeti Fiesta Music Tour 2014 – Sambaza Upendo (Swahili for 'Spread Love'); Vanessa Mdee was on Tanzania's biggest nationwide music tour, covering various regions. The tour final took place on Saturday, 18 October 2014 in Dar es Salaam where American rapper T.I graced the stage; other acts included Diamond, Davido, Waje, Victoria Kimani, Patoranking to name a few.

Vanessa Mdee received an endorsement deal from Crown Paints, to be its brand ambassador in Tanzania.

Mdee was nominated for two categories, Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best African RNB & Soul,[14] in the All Africa Music Awards. On 27 December, Mdee won Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa award in Lagos, Nigeria.

On 8 November, Mdee joined forces with another Tanzanian singer Barnaba Elias for an afro pop duet Siri. Later on 8 December, the much anticipated video for Hawajui was premiered on MTV Base.[15]

2015: Samsung, ESSENCE, ONE.org, Awards

Mdee performing in 2015

Mdee signed a brand ambassadorship deal with Samsung Tanzania.[16]

On 26 March 2015, Vanessa Mdee released her fifth single Nobody But Me featuring South African rapper K.O.

On 4 April 2015, Mdee performed in Lagos, Nigeria at the Gidi Culture Festival known to be Africa's biggest beach festival, that was presented by Eclipse Live and Lagos State. The festival was held at Eko Atlantic. Vanessa Mdee shared the stage with some of the continent's top artists like Burna Boy, Awilo Longomba, M.I, Waje, Sean Tizzle, Victoria Kimani, Efya, Skales and many more. Vanessa Mdee was the only artist representing Tanzania at the festival.

Mdee is up for three Kilimanjaro Music Awards[17] i.e. Female Artist of the Year, Female Entertainer of the Year and Afropop Song of the Year. The awards are set to take place 15 June 2015 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Vanessa Mdee's also nominated for Favorite Female Artist at Tanzania's People's Choice Awards Tuzo Za Watu that take place on 22 May 2015 in Dar es Salaam.

On 13 May 2015, Mdee joined forces with arguably seven of Africa's most popular songstresses for ONE[18] mission and ONE mission only – Celebrating girl power! The campaign is calling on world leaders to put girls and women in the forefront in 2015. This is the year when the new development goals will be set by world leaders at the United Nations. Apart from Vanessa Mdee, the other artists are Victoria Kimani (Kenya), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Waje (Nigeria), Arielle T (Gabon), Gabriela (Mozambique), Yemi Alade (Nigeria), Selomor Mtukudzi (Zimbabwe) and Blessing Nwafor. The song promotes the Poverty is Sexist Campaign globally, and will be officially launched in Nigeria, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa during the World Economic Forum for Africa and the African Union Heads of State Summit. The song is released in conjunction with a report by ONE titled, "Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty". The report shows how unlocking women's economic potential could improve the lives of everyone in society. It also illustrates the structural nature of the social, economic, political and cultural barriers that militate against women and girls. On 23 June 2015, Mdee took home two KTMA Awards for Female Artist of the Year and Best Female Entertainer.[19] The awards were held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – which takes place every year.

Essence[20] a popular US magazine – hadn't shot a cover in Africa since 1978. They decided it was time. They travelled to East Africa and photographed Erykah Badu in Zanzibar, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya for the August issue. Vanessa Mdee features in this Essence issue where she opens up about Tanzania, her music, inspiration and many more.[21]

2016: Music, Mombasa Rocks, One Africa Music Fest, Fiesta Tour

The Mombasa Rocks festival was held at the Mombasa Golf Club – Kenya on 8 October 2016. Vanessa Mdee delivering an electrifying performance[22] was among the headliners that featured international singing sensation Chris Brown, Nigeria's Wizkid, Tanzania's Alikiba and others.

Fiesta Tour: Vanessa among other Tanzanian music artists[23] have been touring various cities in the country. Vanessa has performed in Dodoma, Morogoro, Arusha and is set to perform at the finale in Dar es Salaam.

One Africa Music Festival: Vanessa performed live at the Toyota Center – Houston[24] on Saturday, 22 October 2016. This night featured Nigerian afrobeats stars, including Mdee

Mdee Music

In 2018, Mdee unveiled her own record label titled Mdee Music[25] featuring her sister Mimi Mars and Brian Simba. Simba left in 2021.[26]

East Africa's Got Talent

In July 2019, Vanessa Mdee was unveiled as one of the four pioneer judges for the debut season of East Africa's Got Talent, which began airing in August 2019.[27]

Money Mondays

Mdee released her debut album "Money Mondays" on 15 January 2018. The album consists eighteen tracks, two as bonus and sixteen as official tracks.[28] Including Bambino ft. Reekado Banks, Cash Madame, Bounce and Kisela ft. P Squares's Peter.

The album enjoyed guest artists such as Cassper Nyovest, Joh Makini, Reekado Banks, Radio & Weasel, Mohombi and Jamaican Dancehall king Konshens.[29]

"Money Mondays" broke many records in East African Music history according to music streaming platform BoomPlay. The album 2,000 pre-ordered copies 10 days before the official release date of 29 January 2017.[30]

MTV Shuga

Mdee appeared on MTV Shuga Down South several episodes as Stormi the glam madam.[31] Mdee is the first and the only Tanzanian musician to appear on the TV show.

Personal life

Mdee has been rumoured to have been in a number of relationships, including with Juma Jux.[32][33] Jux later revealed in an interview that his first breakup with the singer was as a result of a picture of Mdee with Nigerian rapper Ice Prince.[34][35] Mdee was also linked romantically to Trey Songz,[36] which she later refuted in an interview.[37]

On 25 November 2019, Rotimi, known for the character Andre Coleman aka “Dre” he played in Power (TV series), shared a picture of him and Mdee posing in an elevator.[38][39] Rotimi told the story of how the two met at a party and hit it off. [40] Mdee told an interview that she knew he would be her husband only two days after meeting him.[41] The pair revealed that they both had tattoos of each other's name on their bodies; her (middle) name, Hau, on his right wrist and his name, Rotimi, on her chest.[42] They also have matching tattoos of the number 1045 on their wrists.[43]

In December 2020, Mdee announced her engagement to Rotimi by posting a video of her diamond ring on Instagram.[44] On 29 September 2021, they welcomed a boy. They also have a daughter.[45]

Mdee is also the older sister to Mimi Mars, also a Tanzanian singer, actress and TV host. The two sisters have a close relationship.[46][47]

Discography

Title Album details
Money Mondays
  • Released: 15 January 2018[48]
  • Label: Mdee Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Expensive TBA

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2013 Tanzania Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated[49]
Best Afro Pop Me & You Won[50]
Best Collaboration Me & You Won
2014 Tanzania Music Awards Female Artist of the Year Nominated[51]
RnB Song of the Year Closer Won[51]
Female Performer of the Year Nominated[51]
Tanzania People's Choice Awards Favourite Female Video Closer Nominated
All Africa Music Awards Best African RnB & Soul Come Over Nominated[52]
Best Female Artiste In Eastern Africa Won[53]
2015 Tanzania Music Awards Female Artist of the Year Won[54]
Afro Pop Song of the Year Hawajui Nominated[55]
Best Female Entertainer Won[56]
Tanzania People's Choice Awards Female Artist of the Year Nominated[57]
MTV Africa Music Awards Best Female Nominated[58]
African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Artist East Africa Won[59]
All Africa Music Awards Best African Pop Hawajui Won[60]
The Future Awards Africa Prize in Entertainment Nominated[61]
Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2015 Most Stylish Female Artist East Africa Won[62]
Africa Entertainment Awards ( Canada) Best International Female Artist Africa Won[63]
Africa Entertainment Awards (USA) Best Female Artist Africa Nominated
2016 Kora Awards Best Female Artist – East Africa Pending[64]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Female Artist ( Non Nigerian) Nominated
Africa Magazine Muzik Awards Best Female East Africa Nominated
Africa Entertainment Awards (USA) Best Female artist Nominated
MTV Africa Music Awards Best Female Nominated
Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2016 Most Stylish Female Artiste (East Africa) Won

References

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  3. ^ "Vanessa Mdee: "It's Tough to Be a Female Artist, You Have to Work Five Times Harder Than the Men"". okayafrica.com. 11 February 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
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