Vanessa Mdee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vanessa Mdee
Born	Vanessa Hau Mdee (1988-06-07) 7 June 1988 (age 37) Arusha, Tanzania
Other names	Vee Money
Occupation	Singer rapper video joskey television personality radio host
Years active	2007–2020
Partner(s)	Rotimi
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	R&B Afro pop hip hop bongo flava
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	B'hits Music Group Universal Music Group
Associated acts	Distruction Boyz DJ Tira Jux Reekado Banks P-Square Rayvanny Rotimi Cassper Nyovest

Vanessa Hau Mdee (born on June 7, 1988), also known as Vee Money, is a talented artist from Tanzania. She is a singer, TV star, and radio host. Vanessa became famous as the very first Tanzanian MTV VJ.

She later became a popular host for radio and TV shows like Epic Bongo Star Search. In late 2012, she joined B'Hits Music Group. After joining, Vanessa worked with rapper A.Y. on a song called "Money." She also teamed up with Bongo Flava artist Ommy Dimpoz for "Me and You." This song was voted Song of the Year at the 2013 Kilimanjaro Music Awards.

Vanessa gained even more attention with her first solo song, "Closer." In its first week, it was downloaded over 30,000 times. This was a huge achievement for a Tanzanian artist. "Closer" stayed on the music charts for more than 13 weeks. In 2015 and 2016, she released more popular songs like "Nobody But Me" and "Niroge." In 2018, she signed with Universal Music Group. In 2020, Vanessa announced she was leaving the music industry. She shared that pressure and feeling down led to her decision.

Early Life and School

Vanessa Mdee was born on June 7, 1988, in Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is the third-largest city in the country. Vanessa grew up in different places like New York, Paris, Nairobi, and Arusha. This helped her learn about many different cultures.

She went to Arusha Modern High School for her secondary education. Later, Vanessa studied law at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. During her studies, she became very interested in creative arts and performing.

Vanessa's Career Journey

Becoming an MTV VJ

In 2007, Vanessa Mdee tried out for The MTV VJ Search in Dar es Salaam. She succeeded and then hosted the Coca-Cola Chart Express show. By 2008, Vanessa was well-known in Tanzania and across Africa. She hosted shows in many countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. She also gained recognition in the United States and Brazil.

Working for Good Causes

In 2008, Vanessa worked with the Staying Alive Foundation. This project was very important to her. She visited Uwanja wa Fisi with Kelly Rowland, who was a special ambassador for the foundation. Vanessa also joined the Malaria No More campaign called Z!nduka. This campaign aimed to get rid of malaria.

Hosting and Fashion

In 2009, Vanessa hosted Senses, Sounds and Wisdom with Zantel. This event was part of the Sauti Za Busara International Music Festival. It showed off the growing Swahili culture. Vanessa's great fashion sense made her a favorite at the MTV Africa Music Awards. She hosted the red carpet event for three years in a row.

Radio and Media Projects

In 2011, Vanessa Mdee became the host of 102.5 Choice FM's The Hitlist. On this show, she played R&B, Hip-Hop, and Pop music. She also interviewed many famous artists. These included Kelly Rowland, Mac Miller, and Rick Ross.

Besides her weekly TV show, MTV's Base Select 10, and her daily radio job, Vanessa also wrote a blog. She was a traveling reporter for MTV Staying Alive and UNAIDS. She spoke at important meetings about health and youth. She also helped start STANDWIDTH, a project under UNAIDS.

Empowering Young Africans

In 2012, Vanessa hosted MTV Base Meets. This show helped young Africans meet influential leaders. Vanessa met people like Russell Simmons and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. She also hosted the Kili Music Awards in Tanzania. She was also the host for Tanzania's talent show, Epiq Bongo Star Search.

Vanessa also started her web series called Vee World Wide. This show was about her travels and meeting different celebrities. She was even asked to try out for BET's 106 & Park show.

Awards and Advocacy

In 2012, Vanessa Mdee received an award in New York City. The United Nations Association of Young Professionals honored her for being an African change-maker. She also received an award from the GAVI Alliance. This was for her support in starting free vaccinations for children in Tanzania.

In May 2013, Vanessa spoke at the World Economic Forum for Africa. She talked about new low prices for HPV vaccines. Later that month, she spoke about cervical cancer in Malaysia. Vanessa officially became a GAVI Ambassador. She actively spoke out against cervical cancer.

Music Career Takes Off

Vanessa started her music career in 2012. She worked on the song "Me and You" with Ommy Dimpoz. A month later, on January 13, 2013, she released her first solo song, "Closer." These songs earned her four nominations at the Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards. She won "Bongo Pop Song of the year" and "Collaboration of the Year."

More Music and Hosting

In 2013, Vanessa Mdee became a Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum. In October 2013, she spoke at the UN General Assembly. She was on a panel with Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda. This trip ended with Vanessa ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ. She was honored for her work in advocacy.

Vanessa hosted MTV Base's Hunters Oasis, a music festival across Africa. She also hosted Tanzania's Epiq Bongo Star Search Season 7 and Dume Challenge. In November 2013, she released her second song, "Come Over." This song became popular on charts in Tanzania, Nigeria, and Kenya.

Busy Year in 2014

In 2014, Vanessa Mdee was nominated for three Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards. These included Female Artist of the Year. On May 3, 2014, she won R&B Song of the Year for "Closer." She released her third song, "Hawajui," on June 13.

Vanessa was part of Airtel's 'Switch On' campaign. This campaign helped connect users to the internet. At the MTV Africa Music Awards, Vanessa presented awards. She also interviewed artists like Trey Songz and French Montana. Vanessa performed with Nigeria's Burna Boy on Coke Studio Africa. She also joined the Kili Music Tour and the Serengeti Fiesta Music Tour.

Vanessa Mdee became a brand ambassador for Crown Paints in Tanzania. She also won the Best Female Artiste in Eastern Africa award at the AFRIMA Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. In November, Vanessa released "Siri" with Barnaba Elias. The music video for "Hawajui" premiered in December and gained attention across Africa.

2015: Endorsements and Campaigns

Mdee performing in 2015

In early 2015, Vanessa Mdee signed a deal with Samsung Tanzania. Her talent and efforts continued to attract many companies. On March 26, 2015, Vanessa released her fifth song, "Nobody But Me." She collaborated with South African rapper K.O on this song. "Nobody But Me" quickly topped charts in several African countries.

On April 4, 2015, Vanessa performed at the Gidi Culture Festival in Lagos, Nigeria. This was Africa's biggest beach festival. She shared the stage with top artists like Burna Boy. Vanessa was the only artist representing Tanzania at the festival.

Vanessa was nominated for three Kilimanjaro Music Awards. She also joined seven other African singers for a ONE campaign. This campaign, called "Poverty is Sexist," aimed to put girls and women first. The song promoted the idea that empowering women helps everyone. On June 23, 2015, Vanessa won two KTMA Awards. She won for Female Artist of the Year and Best Female Entertainer. Vanessa was also featured in Essence, a popular US magazine. She talked about Tanzania, her music, and her inspirations.

2016: Festivals and Tours

Vanessa Mdee performed at the Mombasa Rocks festival in Kenya on October 8, 2016. She gave an amazing performance alongside Chris Brown and Wizkid. Vanessa also toured various cities in Tanzania as part of the Fiesta Tour. She performed in Dodoma, Morogoro, and Arusha.

Vanessa performed live at the One Africa Music Festival in Houston, USA. This event featured many of Africa's best artists. These included 2Face, P-Square, and afrobeats stars.

Mdee Music Label

In 2018, Vanessa Mdee started her own record label called Mdee Music. Her sister, Mimi Mars, and Brian Simba were part of the label. Brian Simba left in 2021, leaving Mimi Mars and Vanessa as the only members.

East Africa's Got Talent

In July 2019, Vanessa Mdee became one of the first four judges for East Africa's Got Talent. The show started airing in August 2019 from Kigali, Rwanda.

Money Mondays Album

Vanessa Mdee released her first album, 'Money Mondays', on January 15, 2018. The album had eighteen songs. It featured guest artists like Cassper Nyovest, Reekado Banks, and Konshens.

'Money Mondays' broke many records in East African Music history. It sold 2,000 copies before its official release date. This showed how popular the album was.

MTV Shuga Appearance

Vanessa Mdee appeared on several episodes of MTV Shuga Down South. She played the character Stormi, a glam madam. Vanessa Mdee is the first and only Tanzanian musician to appear on this TV show.

Personal Life

Vanessa Mdee has been in a confirmed relationship with Tanzanian music star, Juma Jux. They were together for six years before breaking up in 2018. Vanessa later shared the news in an interview in 2019.

On November 25, 2019, Rotimi, an actor known from the TV series Power, shared a picture of him and Vanessa. Vanessa also confirmed their relationship. Rotimi shared that they met at a party. Vanessa said she knew he was her future husband just two days after meeting him. They both have tattoos of each other's names. They also have matching tattoos of the number 1045 on their wrists.

In December 2020, Vanessa announced her engagement to Rotimi. She posted a video of her diamond ring. They welcomed their first child, a boy, on September 29, 2021. Vanessa later confirmed on Instagram that they were expecting another child, a girl.

Vanessa Mdee is also the older sister of Mimi Mars. Mimi Mars is a well-known Tanzanian singer, actress, and TV host. The two sisters have a close bond.

Discography

Awards and Nominations