Vanessa Mdee

Vanessa Mdee is a Tanzanian recording and performing artist, songwriter and youth activist. Mdee is popularly known for being the first ever Tanzanian MTV VJ.

She later rose to prominence as a radio and TV host, hosting Epic Bongo Star Search and Dume Challenge for ITV Tanzania before signing to B’Hits Music Group in late 2012. After joining B’Hits Music Group, Mdee collaborated with Tanzanian rapper AY on the record ‘Money’ and Ommy Dimpoz, a Bongo Flava artist on the record ‘Me and You’. It was later voted Song of the Year during the 2013 Kilimanjaro Music Awards. She received an even bigger buzz with the release of her first solo single ‘Closer’. It was downloaded over 30,000 times in the first week, a feat achieved by no other Tanzanian artist. ‘Closer’ remained on the charts for over 13 weeks.

In 2013, Vanessa was nominated for 3 Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards namely the coveted Bongo Pop Song of the year, Upcoming Artist of the Year and Collaboration of the Year. She walked away with 2 Kili Music Awards.

In 2014, Vanessa was nominated again at the same awards for Female Artist of the Year, RnB Song of the Year and Female Performer of the year. She walked away with the RnB Song of the Year for ‘Closer’.

Last year December, Vanessa Mdee signed on to become a member of the internationally acclaimed label Universal Music Group, in a unique joint signing between Universal Media Germany and AirForce1. This was the first of its kind in Africa.

Mdee is currently riding high on the popularity charts after the release of her debut album ‘Money Monday’ in February.