MzVee
MzVee
Background information
Birth nameVera Hamenoo-Kpeda
Born (1992-06-23) 23 June 1992
Accra, Ghana
GenresAfro pop, Hiplife, R&B, Dancehall
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active2012–present
Websitemzveegh.com

Vera Hamenoo-Kpeda (born 23 June 1992),[1] better known by her stage name MzVee,[2] is a Ghanaian singer, afropop, dancehall and R&B artiste. Her debut solo album features several hit singles including 'Borkor Borkor (meaning – Slowly), 'Natural Girl' and 'Dancehall Queen'.[3][4] MzVee was signed to the record label Lynx Entertainment and was the winner of the New Artiste of the Year award at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards. She parted ways with Lynx Entertainment in the year 2019. She is currently a solo artist.[5][6]

Early life

MzVee was born in South La Estates, Accra to Ernest Hamenoo-Kpeda, a businessman, and Florence Hamenoo-Kpeda, a caterer. She hails from Keta in the Volta Region of Ghana.[7] She has two older sisters and a brother and attended St Martin de Porres School in Dansoman, Accra in her early years . She moved on to St. Mary's Girls' Senior High School where she studied Home economics.[8] She was studying Business administration at Ghana Telecom University,[9] later in 2016, she abandoned school.[10]

Music career

2012 – 2013: Early beginnings

MzVee first burst onto the Ghanaian music scene in the summer of 2012 as the lead singer of Lynx Entertainment's girl band D3.[11] The band had popular hits like "Good Girls Gone Bad" and "Gyani Gyani" before disbanding at the end of 2013 due to the young members' educational commitments.[12]

2014 – 2016: Breakthrough

MzVee launched her solo career with debut single ‘Borkor Borkor’ released in January 2014.[13] She followed this with hit single ‘Natural Girl’[14] and went on to win the 'Unsung Artiste Award' at the 2014 Ghana Music Awards.[15] Her debut album was released in November 2014[3] and features collaborations with several award-winning artistes such as Stonebwoy, VIP, Shatta Wale, Richie Mensah, M.anifest and Didier Awadi.

Following the success of her award-winning debut album, MzVee released her second album titled Verified in November 2015 to rave reviews.[16][17] The album has earned MzVee 7 nominations at the 2016 Ghana Music Awards[18] including 'Album of the Year' and 'Record of the Year' for the single 'Abofra' which features Efya. Her highly anticipated third album DaaVee was released in May 2017.[19]

2017– 2019: Hiatus

MzVee took a two-year break from the Music Industry from 2017 to 2019. In an interview with TV3[20] on Monday, 5 January 2020, she revealed that her reason for leaving the music industry was a massive depression which she was going through.[21] This has dismissed pregnancy rumors that some people were saying is the reason for her absence from the Music Industry.[22] Throughout the two-year period MzVee found help from her friend Efya who kept supporting and encouraging her until she overcame depression.[23][21] She has announced that as of 2020 she is back to music and will be releasing a single she has titled "Sheriff".[21]

2020 – 2021: inVeencible

One other thing MzVee said when she returned from her depression-induced hiatus from music was that she will be releasing two albums.[20] However, she obviously could not release the two albums as she promised due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She rather managed to release one album dubbed inVeencible.[24] The album which featured Sarkodie, Mugeez, Efya, Medikal, Kelvyn Boy, Kojo Funds, as well as Falz and Navy Kenzoo, was released on 11 December 2020.[25] In March 2021, she partnered with TRACE TV to release her music video for her song 'You Alone'.[26]

2022: 10 Thirty

On 24 June 2022, MzVee released her fifth album, titled 10 Thirty inspired by her 10th year as a musician and to celebrate turning 30 years. 10 Thirty, a ten–tracked album featured Nigerian musicians, Bella Shmurda, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage and Ghanaian musicians Stonebwoy and Kofi Kinaata.[27]

Musical style and recognition

MzVee being interviewed at the 2017 Wave Concert

MzVee's music contains elements of afropop, R&B and dancehall and her strong vocal abilities earned her a nomination for 'Female Vocalist of the Year'[28] at the 2015 Ghana Music Awards and the award for 'Most Promising Act' at the 2015 Ghana Music Honors.[29] She is regarded as one of the stars of Ghana's dancehall scene and received the award for 'Best Female Vocalist of the Year'[30] at the 2015 Ghanaian dancehall awards, BASS awards. Her trademark natural African hair and hit single ‘Natural Girl’ has made her an inspiration to young girls across Africa who want to celebrate their natural look.[31]

MzVee's impressive rise to the top continued with a nomination in June 2015 in the 'Best International New Artist' category[32] at the BET Awards 2015. This brand new fan-voted category celebrates rising stars from across the channel's international footprint.[33]

In October 2015, MzVee was appointed the World Bank Ambassador for their 'End Extreme Poverty Campaign'.[34] She released the official campaign song titled 'End Poverty'[35] and became a World Bank #Music4Dev Guest Artist; a role which has been held in the past by a number of award-winning artists including D'Banj and Fally Ipupa.[36][37]

MzVee was named in MTV Base's list of the top African artists to watch out for in 2016. This list featured the breakthrough hit makers of 2015 on the African continent.[38][39] She has also been nominated in the ‘Best Urban Artist’ category at the 2016 KORA Music Awards[40][41] and received 7 nominations at the 2016 Ghana Music Awards[42] including Songwriter of the Year[43] with Richie Mensah and Efya, Album of the Year[44] and Best Female Vocalist.[45]

On 20 May 2016, MzVee was nominated for the BET Awards 2016 – Best International Act: Africa category and became the first Ghanaian female musician to be nominated for a major BET Award.[46] She was also nominated in the Best Female category in October 2016 for the MTV Africa Music Awards.[47]

MzVee singing at a concert

MzVee continues to receive both critical and commercial acclaim for her work and was awarded the Best Female Artist Honour[48] at the Ghana Music Honours on 4 March 2017. She was also nominated for Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Best Female Vocalist and Overall Artiste of the Year at the 2017 Ghana Music Awards.[49] She is the first Ghanaian musician to be featured on the Grammy's 'Press play at home' platform.[50]

Discography

  • Re-Vee-Lation (2014)
  • Verified (2015)
  • DaaVee (2017)
  • InVeecible (2020)
  • 10 Thirty (2022)

Awards and nominations

[51]

YearOrganizationAwardWorkResult
2014Ghana Music AwardsUnsung Artiste of the YearHerselfWon[52]
4syte Music Video AwardsBest DiscoveryWon[53]
2015Bass AwardsBest Female Vocal ArtistWon[54]
Ghana Music HonorsMost Promising ActWon[55]
Ghana Music AwardsArtiste of the YearNominated[56]
Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the YearNominated[56]
Best New Artiste of the YearWon[57]
Album of the YearRe-Vee-LationNominated[56]
Reggae Dancehall Song of the YearNatural GirlNominated[56]
Best Female Vocal PerformanceMy EverythingNominated[56]
BET AwardsBest New International ArtistHerselfNominated[32]
2016KORA Music AwardsBest Urban ArtistHold Me NowNominated[40]
Ghana Music AwardsAlbum of the YearVerifiedNominated[44]
Songwriter of the YearMzVee, Richie Mensah and EfyaNominated[43]
Best Female Vocalist of the YearHold Me NowWon[45]
Reggae Song of the YearNominated[58]
Afro Pop Song of the YearAbofraNominated[59]
Record of the YearNominated[60]
Reggae/Dancehall Artist of the YearHerselfNominated[61]
BET AwardsBest International Act AfricaNominated[62]
Nigerian Entertainment AwardsAfrican Female Artist (Non-Nigerian)Nominated[63]
AFRIMMABest Female West AfricaNominated[64]
MTV Africa Music AwardsBest FemaleNominated[47]
2017Ghana Music HonoursReggae/Dancehall Artist HonourNominated[65]
Best Female Artist HonourWon[66]
People's Choice Artist HonourNominated[65]
Ghana Music AwardsReggae/Dancehall Artiste of the YearNominated[67]
Best Female VocalistNobody ElseNominated[67]
Overall Artiste of the YearHerselfNominated[67]
4syte Music Video AwardsBest Female VideoRewindNominated[68]
Best Choreography VideoNominated[68]
BASS AwardsArtiste of the YearHerselfNominated[69]
Reggae Song of the YearNobody ElseNominated[69]
Performer of the YearHerselfNominated[69]
Female Vocalist of the YearNobody ElseNominated[69]
Reggae Collaboration of the YearNobody Else (feat. Black Prophet)Won[70]
Dancehall Artiste of the YearHerselfNominated[69]
Reggae Video of the YearNobody ElseNominated[69]
2018Ghana Music AwardsFemale Vocalist of the YearHerselfNominated[71]
Reggae/Dancehall ArtisteNominated[72]
Reggae/Dancehall Song of the YearRewindNominated[73]
Collaboration of the YearSing My Name (feat. Patoranking)Nominated[74]
Afropop Song of the YearNominated[75]
Album of the YearDaa-VeeNominated[76]
2019 Ghana Music Awards Best Music Video of the Year Come and see my Moda" ft Yemi Alade

Directed by Xbills Ebenezer

 Won[77]
2021Ghana Music AwardsBest Reggae Dancehall Song of the YearSheriffNominated[78]
Best Music Video of the Year Baddest BossWon
Album of the YearInveecibleNominated[79]

References

  1. ↑ "Birthday photos/videos: MzVee organises health screening, concert for Bakpa residents". Myjoyonline. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "I'll be surprised to see Shatta Wale in heaven – MzVee - MyJoyOnline.com". MyJoyonline. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  3. 1 2 "MzVee drops album on November 21". Daily Guide Ghana. Archived from the original on 27 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Album of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  5. ↑ "VGMA 2015 Winners". Ghana Music Awards.
  6. ↑ "Full list of winners at 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". myjoyonline.
  7. ↑ "MzVee shares experience after visit to Fort Prinzenstein located in her hometown – MyJoyOnline". MyJoyonline. 27 December 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  8. ↑ "I studied Home Economics in SHS because I wanted an easy way out – MzVee – MyJoyOnline". MyJoyonline. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Rising Talent MzVee talks to us". enewsgh.
  10. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "MzVee Drops Out Of School". Peacefmonline.com – Ghana news. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  11. ↑ "Lynx Entertainment introduces an all female group – D3". Ghana Music. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Music group D3 splits". Ghana Web.
  13. ↑ "MzVee Borkor Borkor". Ghana Ndwom.
  14. ↑ "MzVee releases Natural Girl featuring Stonebwoy". Modern Ghana.
  15. ↑ "MzVee thanks her fans for VGMA award win". Modern Ghana.
  16. ↑ "MzVee ups her game with verified album launch". Ghana Web.
  17. ↑ "MzVee ups her game with verified album launch". Nigeria News24.
  18. ↑ "Full list of nominees for 2016 Ghana Music Awards". MyJoyOnline.
  19. ↑ "MzVee set to release DaaVee album on 1st May 2017". Loud Sound GH.
  20. 1 2 iChris (6 January 2020). "MzVee is back from her hiatus with two albums, she was so depressed". iCHRIS. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  21. 1 2 3 "Depression forced me to leave music industry- MzVee". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  22. ↑ "I Was Super Depressed To Leave Music Industry — MzVee Recounts". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  23. ↑ "I was depressed and Efya was my psychologist; MzVee finally opens up (Watch)". Entertainment. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  24. ↑ iChris (11 December 2020). "MzVee features Sarkodie, Mugeez, Efya, Falz, Medikal, others on InVeencible Album". iCHRIS. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Mzvee – Inveencible (Full Album)". NY DJ Live. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  26. ↑ "MzVee partners Trace TV to release video for 'You Alone' - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  27. ↑ Awadzi, Hannah. "MzVee to unleash "10 Thirty" album with star-studded lineup". gna ghana. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  28. ↑ "VGMA 2015 Nominees List". Ghana Music Awards.
  29. ↑ "Ghana Music Honors Held in Accra". Ghana Web.
  30. ↑ "VGMA 2015 Nominees List". Peace FM.
  31. ↑ "MzVee Calls Out To All Natural Girls". Twi Movies.
  32. 1 2 "Best New International Artist". BET.
  33. ↑ "BET Awards 2015: MzVee nominated in new category". Viasat 1.
  34. ↑ "MzVee Appointed as World Bank Ambassador". Ghana Web.
  35. ↑ "MzVee Releases World Bank Campaign Theme Song". MyJoyOnline.
  36. ↑ "Music4Dev Guest MzVee Calls for An End to Poverty Through Song". World Bank.
  37. ↑ "Music4Dev Guest MzVee Hopes Her Music Will Help End Poverty". World Bank.
  38. ↑ "MTV Base presents the top African acts to watch out for in 2016". MTV Base.
  39. ↑ "MzVee named among the Top African Artists to watch out for in 2016". nydjlive.com.
  40. 1 2 "KORA Awards Nominees Best Urban". KORA Awards.
  41. ↑ "Sarkodie, MzVee, others nominated for 2016 KORA Music Awards". Ghana Web.
  42. ↑ "Full list of nominees for 2016 Ghana Music Awards". MyJoyOnline.
  43. 1 2 "Ghana Music Awards Songwriter of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  44. 1 2 "Ghana Music Awards Album of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  45. 1 2 "Ghana Music Awards Best Female Vocalist of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  46. ↑ GhKings News. "MzVee Nominated For BET Awards 2016 + Full List".
  47. 1 2 "Final categories revealed – vote now". MTV Africa Music Awards.
  48. ↑ "Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, MzVee, VVIP and many more win at 2017 Ghana Music Honours". ameyahdebrah.
  49. ↑ "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2017 Nominees". glammynews.
  50. ↑ "MzVee becomes first Ghanaian musician to perform on Grammy's 'Press Play'". GhanaWeb. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  51. ↑ "2019 VGMAs: Full list of winners". GhanaWeb. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  52. ↑ "Behold Unsung Artiste of the Year". afrisounds.com.
  53. ↑ "Winners of 2014 MTN 4syte Music Video Awards". Joy Online.
  54. ↑ "BASS awards full list of winners". Peace FM.
  55. ↑ "Ghana Music Honors held in Accra". Ghana Web.
  56. 1 2 3 4 5 "List of nominees for 2015 Ghana Music Awards". Daily Guide. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015.
  57. ↑ "Full list of winners at 2015 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards". Joy Online.
  58. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards Reggae Song of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  59. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards Afro Pop Song of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  60. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards Record of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  61. ↑ "Ghana Music Awards Reggae/Dancehall of the Year". Ghana Music Awards.
  62. ↑ "Best International Act Africa". EnterGhana.
  63. ↑ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2016 – Full List of Nominees". naijavoice.com.
  64. ↑ "AFRIMMA 2016 nominees". AFRIMMA.
  65. 1 2 "Full List of Nominees – Ghana Music Honours". ghanaclassic.com.
  66. ↑ "Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, MzVee, VVIP and many more win at 2017 Ghana Music Honours". ameyahdebrah.com.
  67. 1 2 3 "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2017 Nominees". glammynews.com.
  68. 1 2 "4Syte TV Release Nomination List For Music Video Awards".
  69. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "List of Nominees For 2017 Bass Awards Released".
  70. ↑ "Full list of award winners at Bass Awards 2017".
  71. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  72. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  73. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  74. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  75. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  76. ↑ "2018 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards Full List of Nominees". Ghana Web.
  77. ↑ "Behold Unsung Artiste of the Year". afrisounds.com.
  78. ↑ "FULL LIST: Vodafone Ghana Music Awards releases 2021 nominations". Citi Newsroom.
  79. ↑ "FULL LIST: Vodafone Ghana Music Awards releases 2021 nominations". Citi Newsroom.
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