A diva in the making: Vanessa Mdee during one of her latest performances
What you need to know:
To some it was just another cameo and quickly wrote her off, however, two years on with a couple of hits such as ‘Closer’, ‘Come Over’, and ‘Hawajui’, Vanessa Mdee has become one of the most sought after female performers in the country. This week she speaks to The Beat’s Paul Owere.
She was first introduced to Tanzania’s music scene in 2012 when she did a collabo with Ommy Dimpoz in a gripping hit single ‘Me and You’ which went on to win an award at the Kilimanjaro music Awards in 2013.
To some it was just another cameo and quickly wrote her off, however, two years on with a couple of hits such as ‘Closer’, ‘Come Over’, and ‘Hawajui’, Vanessa Mdee has become one of the most sought after female performers in the country. This week she speaks to The Beat’s Paul Owere.
How easy or difficult has the transition from VJ and radio to musician been for you?
It wasn’t too difficult because I wasn’t switching one skill off to engage in another completely different field. They both kind of gelled together and have always been intertwined in many ways.
How has your day job helped you through this process especially in terms of promoting you as an artiste?
I think being a personality helps me gauge what the consumer is hungry for and is in to at a certain time. So that’s always been a fan research for me.
What made you think that you had finally taken that turn before making the decision to get fully involved in music?
After I won the Best Collabo Award with Ommy Dimpoz in the single ‘Me and You’ at the Kili Music Awards 2013 there was no turning back from there as it put everything into perspective. The fans had spoken and that was it.
In a rather male dominated industry (locally), how has that played to either your advantage or disadvantage?
There have been instances where people have expected me to retaliate or not to have an opinion. However, this is the case in many industries, I continue to fight for what I believe in and love.
In your opinion why do you think there are few female artistes breaking through in Tanzania?
It’s tougher for a woman to show up. Example: to get on stage a woman has to come prepared- hair, make-up, outfit - the works. It is more financially tasking for a female than it is for a male. This is just one example, now the investment needs to be constant and consistent in every aspect. So it is slightly more tasking for women to turn up as wholesome packages.
You recently released ‘Hawajui’ and of course the video for ‘Come Over’, can you tell us what the next hot thing is all about?
I am working on some projects but I think , it would be great to wait and see how it pans out in the end.
Your type of music is more Western, do you think you have picked your spot and what is your target audience?
Hawajui has a very Tanzanian feel to it. My aim is to make good music all the time. Good music is like water it seeps through the cracks of any wall irrespective of it’s make.
Why do you think our music is dragging behind despite a general consensus that the talent is great?
I think our music is doing very well actually. We are slowly starting to factor in the business and investment aspect to make it a wholesome package. It’s a good time for Tanzanian music.
Over the years you have interviewed high profile celebrities on both radio and TV, can you name some and who has been your favourite?
My favourites include Kelly Rowland, Miguel and Russell Simmons and Emmanuel Adebayor ... the list is rather endless.
As a young woman, how has this transition affected you?
Positively! I finally feel like I’m fully in my zone.
