Vanessa Hau Mdee was born on 7 June in Arusha, the third-largest city in Tanzania located in Northern Tanzania, she became familiar with various cultures after growing up in New York (U.S), Paris (U.S), Nairobi (Kenya) and Arusha (Tanzania), attended university studies at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa to pursue a Law degree which she has always admitted to not enjoying. After the sudden passing of her father she decided to follow her dreams participating in MTV’s VJ search in Tanzania, making her TZ’s first MTV VJ – and the rest they say is HISTORY.. she later quickly became familiar with many different forms of creative and performing arts.
Vanessa also known as Vee Money, a Tanzanian recording artist, songwriter, youth activist, TV and radio host.
2007: MTV VJ Search
In early 2007, Vee got the chance to audition for The MTV VJ Search in Dar es Salaam. Afterwards, she joined Carol and Kule to host the Coca Cola Chart Express. By 2008, Vee had established herself in Tanzania and around the continent, hosting shows in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She also became known in the United States and Brazil.
2008: MTV Staying Alive
In 2008, Vee 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 the ever-growing Swahili culture. Mdee's fashion sense has made her the go-to girl at every MTV Africa Music Awards. She hosted the red carpet event for three years in a row.
Shes 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 A.Y. on a record '’Money'’ (Watch Below)
Featured by Ommy Dimpoz, a Bongo Flava artist on a record Me and You that was later voted Song of the Year during the 2013 Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards. (Watch Below)
She received an even bigger buzz with the release of her first solo single "Closer", which in its first week was downloaded over 30,000 times, a feat achieved by no other Tanzanian artist. "Closer" remained on the charts for over 13 weeks. (Watch Below)
"Started my career on radio on 102.5 Choice FM’s The Hitlist. My passion for music drove me to pursue a career in music which I had always wanted to do. Through music I have been able to express myself musically which has liberated me tremendously."
MTV Africa Music Awards; Vanessa Mdee alongside Nomuzi Mabena presented the Best Collaboration Award and Best Francophone Award. During the trip to Durban, South Africa she as an MTV VJ had an opportunity to sit down and interview Trey Songz, Miguel and French Montana all artists from the U.S.
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 on her Dynamites Mission website
In 2012 Mdee hosted MTV Base Meets, a show geared towards empowering young Africans from around the world by giving them the rare opportunity to sit down with an influential leader.
Vanessa Mdee had the opportunity to interview and share "Shoe Talk" with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo!!
MTV Base Meets brought her in the company of Russell Simmons, Alek Wek, former President of Nigeria Hon. Olusegun Obasanjo, football star Emmanuel Adebayor and Akon.
Mdee also hosted the Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards (KTMA)
as well as Tanzania's nationwide talent search Epiq Bongo Star Search (EBSS).
Mdee was asked to audition for BET's 106 & Park, although she did not get the gig. "I was asked to audition for BET’s 106 & Park right before Terrence and Rocsi’s departure. It was a nerve wracking six months of not knowing the outcome, but a great experience." she said.
On 2012, Mdee was awarded at a gala in New York City by the UNA-YP (United Nations Association of Young Professionals) for being an African change maker.
In the same month she was awarded by the GAVI Alliance for her support in the initiation of free vaccinations for Tanzanian children.
In May 2013, Mdee was invited to speak at the World Economic Forum for Africa in Cape Town, South Africa on behalf of the GAVI Alliance on the announcement of the new record low price for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
Later that same month, Mdee again spoke on cervical cancer at the Global Forum for Cervical Cancer Prevention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on behalf of Global Health Strategies. Mdee officially became a GAVI Ambassador and an active voice against cervical cancer.
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 (Audio) and 25 November (Video) on 8 December, the much anticipated video for Hawajui was premiered on MTV Base and has gone on to capture the attention of the African continent and beyond. watch below.
Vanessa Mdee received an endorsement deal from Crown Paints, to be its brand ambassador in Tanzania. Crown Paints is a number one paint manufacturing company in Eastern Africa.
Vanessa Mdee is involved in the ‘Switch On’ campaign by Airtel that is about connecting users to the internet and charged according to the kind of device in use.
Coke Studio Africa; Vanessa Mdee features in season II of Coke Studio Africa where she collaborates and performs with Nigeria's Burna Boy. (CLICK HERE to watch coke studio videos.)
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.
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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 platnumz, Davido, Waje, Victoria Kimani, Patoranking to name a few.
Vanessa Mdee nominated for two categories: Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa and Best African RNB & Soul[9] in the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) .
On 27 December, Vanessa Mdee won Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa award in Lagos, Nigeria.
On 8 November, Vanessa Mdee joined forces with another Tanzanian songbird Barnaba Elias to release their Afro Pop duet 'Siri', (Means 'Secret') It tells the tale of a cunning young man who tries to convince a young bride to embark on a love affair with him, with promises of plenty material things. Despite her upbringing the story ends at a crossroads, leaving the listener wondering.
Early 2015, Vanessa Mdee signed a brand ambassadorship deal with Samsung Tanzania. Vanessa has continued to attract a lot of attention from plenty of corporations due to her enormous talent and continued effort to grow her brand.
On 26 March 2015, Vanessa Mdee released her fifth single Nobody But Me where she joins with heavy hitting South African rapper K.O on. Composed by Vanessa Mdee, Ntokozo Mdluli and Nahreel, the light hearted collabo will transcend from the airwaves to the club. Nobody But Me is already topping charts in various countries in Africa. (Watch Below)
On 26 March 2015, Vanessa Mdee released her fifth single Nobody But Me where she joins with heavy hitting South African rapper K.O on. Composed by Vanessa Mdee, Ntokozo Mdluli and Nahreel, the light hearted collabo will transcend from the airwaves to the club. Nobody But Me is already topping charts in various countries in Africa. (Watch Below)
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