Wezi Mhone

What to Know About Wezi Mhone

Wezi, born Victoria Wezi Mhone on May 25, 1992, is a Zambian singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer. She is widely known for her soulful voice and meaningful songwriting, making her one of Zambia’s most respected female musicians. Wezi performs a blend of Afro-pop, Afro-soul, Neo Soul, Pop, and Jazz, and has earned recognition both in Zambia and internationally.

Wezi rose to fame in 2016 after releasing her debut EP, Uhai. The project was well received and earned her the Best New Artist award at the 2016 Zambia Music Awards, marking the beginning of a successful music career.

Early Life

Wezi was born and raised in Ndola, Zambia. She is the second-born child in a family of four. Her parents are Pastor Royce Chanje and the late Apostle Simon Mhone. She spent much of her childhood under the care of her uncle on the Copperbelt.

Her love for music began at the age of seven. By the time she was 11 years old, she had already started writing poems and songs. She attended North Rise Basic School, where she served as president of the Chongololo Club and was an active member of the Scripture Union. She later completed her secondary education at a Dominican Convent school before enrolling at the University of Zambia in 2013 to study in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Music Career

Wezi signed her first recording contract in 2013 with Bizzy Baila International, a record label co-owned by T-Sean and Tbwoy. During her time there, she released songs including Ambuya, Nipulumuseni, and Tichitenji. She later left the label and briefly worked with Vibrant Media and MOJO Music before deciding to pursue her career independently.

In 2016, Wezi released her debut EP Uhai, which became a turning point in her career. The project earned her the Best New Artist award at the Zambia Music Awards and introduced her to a wider audience. In 2017, she received a nomination at the Kora Awards, further boosting her profile across Africa.

Over the years, Wezi has released several popular songs, including Nthenda featuring Jay Rox, Maplanga na Nsimbi, Translate, Nyimbo Zako, Umung’O featuring Mumba Yachi, Tiwepo, Nikukonda, Munanitema featuring Cleo Ice Queen, Ise Bantu Tyala featuring Pilato, Take My Heart, and Moyo.

She has also performed alongside international music legends such as Boyz II Men, UB40, Joe Thomas, and Brian McKnight during the Stanbic Music Festival. Her performances at the Lake of Stars Festival in the United Kingdom and the Harare International Festival of the Arts in Zimbabwe further established her as one of Zambia’s leading live performers.

Awards and Achievements

Wezi has received several awards and nominations throughout her career. Her debut EP Uhai won the Best New Artist award at the 2016 Zambia Music Awards. In 2017, she earned a Kora Awards nomination, one of Africa’s biggest music awards.

In 2021, Wezi gained international recognition after contributing to Jamaican singer Etana’s album Pamoja, which received a Grammy Awards nomination. This achievement placed Wezi among the few Zambian artists connected to a Grammy-nominated project.

In 2023, Wezi, Towela, and Xaven The Kopala Queen were selected as official music ambassadors for Zambia’s Copper Queens ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Together, they released the official team song, Copper Queens Anthem, in support of the national team.

Humanitarian Work

Beyond music, Wezi is passionate about humanitarian causes. In 2016, she attended the African Union Summit and was later appointed as an ambassador in campaigns against early child marriages and gender-based violence by Zambia’s Ministry of Gender.

She has also supported environmental conservation by participating in the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Journey of Water campaign, which promotes the protection of natural water resources.

Legacy and Influence

Wezi continues to inspire many young artists through her music, live performances, and community work. Her soulful voice, powerful lyrics, and commitment to social causes have made her one of Zambia’s most respected female musicians. As her career continues to grow, Wezi remains an important figure in the country’s music industry and a proud ambassador of Zambian talent on the international stage.