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Tkay Maidza

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Tkay Maidza
Maidza performing in 2024
Maidza performing in 2024
Background information
Birth nameTakudzwa Victoria Rosa Maidza
Born1995 or 1996 (age 28–29)
Harare, Zimbabwe
OriginAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • rapper
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitewww.tkaymaidza.com

Takudzwa Victoria Rosa "Tkay" Maidza (/tiːˈkeɪ ˈmaɪdzə/ tee-KAY MY-dzə;[1] born 1995 or 1996) is a Zimbabwean-born Australian singer-songwriter and hip hop artist from Adelaide, South Australia. She has been nominated for and won many awards, and released two albums: Tkay (2016) and Sweet Justice (2023). She collaborated with Flume on her 2023 single "Silent Assassin".

Early life and education

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Takudzwa Victoria Rosa Maidza[2] was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1995 or 1996. Her mother is an industrial chemist and her father a metallurgist.[1] Her father played in bands, mostly traditional Zimbabwean or African folk music, and the family used to go along and watch.[3]

In 2001, her family moved to Australia when she was five years old. They lived in Perth and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia and then in Whyalla in South Australia, before relocating to Adelaide in 2010.[4]

Maidza graduated from St Michael's College, Henley Beach, in 2012,[5] and started studying architecture at the University of South Australia before becoming a full-time musician. She took part in Adelaide's Northern Sound System artist development program.[6]

She also turned her back on a promising career as a professional tennis player, having spent eight years training for it.[7]

Career

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2013–2017: Switch Tape and Tkay

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In January 2013, Maidza uploaded "Handle My Ego" featuring Badcop onto triple J unearthed. In December 2013, Maidza released her debut single, "Brontosaurus" with producer BadCop. The song peaked at number 89 on the ARIA Charts.[8] This was followed by "U-Huh", produced by Adelaide born, now Sydney based Dew Process producer, LK McKay, in July 2014, which was certified platinum in 2022.

In October 2014, Maidza released her debut EP and mixtape, Switch Tape, featuring collaborations with Night Slugs' Bok Bok and producer SBTRKT.[9]

Maidza has played Splendour in the Grass and the CMJ Music Marathon in 2014 and at the 2015 St Jerome's Laneway Festival.[10] She performed at the Triple J "Beat the Drum" concert in 2015 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the radio station, both as a solo artist and with many other Australian guest rappers on an extended version of Hilltop Hoods' "Cosby Sweater".[11] Maidza played most of the Australian major festivals in 2015, including Groovin' the Moo, Falls Festival, Meredith Festival, and a cameo at Stereosonic with WhatSoNot.[citation needed]

In May 2016, Martin Solveig released the Maidza featured single, "Do It Right".[citation needed]

On 30 August 2016, Maidza released single "Carry On", featuring guest vocals from US rapper Killer Mike. The track is the first single from her debut album, titled Tkay, which was released on 28 October 2016. Tkay peaked at number 20 on the ARIA charts. The album was nominated for numerous awards at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017.[citation needed]

2018–2022: Last Year Was Weird

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In August 2018, Maidza released the first of a trilogy of EPs titled Last Year Was Weird.[12][13][7]

In May 2020, Maidza announced she had signed with English independent label 4AD[14] and released single "Shook" with praise from NME[15] and Rolling Stone.[16] In August 2020, Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 2) was released.[17] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2020, the EP was nominated for Best Soul/R&B Release.[18]

In February 2021, Maidza released her new track "Kim" with US artist Yung Baby Tate,[19] in which she takes on the identities of various pop culture icons with the name, including rapper Lil' Kim and celebrity Kim Kardashian.[7]

The third and final EP in her Last Year Was Weird series was released in July 2021.[20][7] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2021, Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 3) won Best Soul/R&B Release.[21]

On 19 November 2021, Maidza released "Real Nice (H.C.T.F.)" with Young Franco featuring Nerve, which served as the theme song for the A-League, the Australian and New Zealand professional soccer league.[22]

2023: Sweet Justice

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In March 2023, Maidza's cover of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" was used in an AirPods commercial by Apple.[23][24]

In July 2023, Maidza released "Silent Assassin" with Flume. This was followed by "Ring-a-Ling" and the announcement of her second studio album, Sweet Justice, which was subsequently released on 3 November 2023.[25]

Influences and style

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Maidza said in 2016 that she admired the work of Kendrick Lamar, Santigold, Lauryn Hill, and Childish Gambino.[26]

In 2021, she described her style as "left of anything. It's alternative hip-hop. Alternative pop. Alternative R&B".[7]

Personal life

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In 2021, Maidza was living in Los Angeles.[7]

Discography

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Main article: Tkay Maidza discography

Awards and nominations

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Maidza was awarded a Robert Stigwood Fellowship, which provided mentorship and professional development, by the Music Development Office in SA.[27]

APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Bang My Line" (Cosmo's Midnight featuring Tkay Maidza) Most Performed R&B / Soul Work of the Year Nominated [28]
2024 "Ring-a-Ling" Most Performed Hip Hop/Rap Work Nominated [29]

ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year Nominated work Category Result Ref.
2017 TKAY Breakthrough Artist Nominated [30]
Best Urban Album Nominated
2019 "Awake" Best Hip Hop Release Nominated [31][32]
2020 Last Year Was Weird, Vol.2 Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated [33]
2021 Last Year Was Weird, Vol.3 Won [34][35]
Nicholas Muecke for Tkay Maidza's "24k" Best Video Nominated
2023 "Silent Assassin" (with Flume) Best Hip Hop/Rap Release Nominated [36]
2024 Sweet Justice Best Solo Artist Nominated [37]
Best Soul/R&B Release Won

BET Awards

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The BET Awards is an American award show that was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Tkay Maidza International Viewers' Choice Award Nominated [38][39]

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 "Don't Call Again" (featuring Kari Faux) Australian Video of the Year Nominated [40][41]

MTV Europe Music Awards

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The MTV Europe Music Awards is an award presented by Viacom International Media Networks to honour artists and music in pop culture.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Herself Best Australian Act Nominated [42]
2018 Won [43]

National Live Music Awards

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The National Live Music Awards are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Herself Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Won [44]
International Live Achievement (Solo) Nominated
2018 Live Hip Hop Act of the Year Nominated [45][46]
South Australian Live Voice of the Year Won
2023 Best Hip Hop Act Nominated [47][48]

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

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The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[49]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2015 Tkay Maidza Best New Artist Won [50]
2021 Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 Best Record Won [51]
"Shook" Best Single Nominated
2024 "Silent Assassin" (with Flume) Best Single Nominated [52]

South Australian Music Awards

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The South Australian Music Awards (previously known as the Fowler's Live Music Awards) are annual awards that exist to recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the South Australian contemporary music industry. They commenced in 2012.[53]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) Ref.
2014 Tkay Maidza Best Electronica Artist Won
2015 Tkay Maidza Best Release Won
Best Female Won
Best Song Won
"Switch Lanes" (directed by Sachio Cook) Best Video Won
2016 Tkay Maidza Best Song Won
"Do It Right" (with Martin Solveig) Best International Collaboration Won
2017 Tkay Maidza Best Female Artist Won
2018 Tkay Maidza Most Popular Hip Hop Award Won

References

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  1. ^ a b Mathieson, Craig (16 April 2015). "Tkay Maidza moving in pop's forward lane". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  2. ^ "BigSound 2013 – Tkay Maidza". QMusic (Qld Music Network Inc.). Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Tkay Maidza NYC Shows on doNYC". doNYC. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  4. ^ Bisley, Alexander (7 November 2014). "Adelaide's Tkay Maidza on drugs, Drake and music industry snakes".
  5. ^ "Where are they now?" (PDF). St Michael's College, Adelaide. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2015.
  6. ^ "'Iggy Azalea Has Opened Up A Path To America'". theMusic.com.au (Street Press Australia Pty Ltd). 17 December 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Wright, Danny (9 July 2021). "Tkay Maidza: 'I wasn't happy with who I was surrounded by – things were starting to fall apart'". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  8. ^ Cashmere, Paul (14 December 2013). "ARIA Singles: John Legend stays on top". Noise11. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  9. ^ DeVille, Chris (22 October 2014). "Stream Tkay Maidza Switch Tape". stereogum.com. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  10. ^ Vincent, Peter (6 January 2015). "Laneway Festival 2015: Lykke Li loss is Tkay Maidza's gain".
  11. ^ "Hilltop Hoods joined by a who's who of Aussie hip-hop at Beat The Drum". 17 January 2015.
  12. ^ "Last Year Was Weird". Sanity. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  13. ^ "Feature Interview: Tkay Maidza Is Here To Stay". PILERATS. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Tkay Maidza Signs To 4AD And Releases Single 'Shook'". Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  15. ^ "Tkay Maidza on her infectious new single, 'Shook': "I'm starting to feel more confident in my skills"". NME. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  16. ^ "Tkay Maidza Shares Audio and Video for New Single, 'Shook'". 12 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  17. ^ Hutchinson, Kate (9 August 2020). "Tkay Maidza: Last Year Was Weird Vol 2 review – fresh as a poolside mojito". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  18. ^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  19. ^ Song You Need to Know: Tkay Maidza, ‘Kim’. Tyler Jenke, Rolling Stone , 04 February 2021. Retrieved 04 February 2021.
  20. ^ Wehner, Cyclone (26 May 2021). "On The Cover – Tkay Maidza: "This whole journey has just been about finding myself and owning my power"". NME. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Genesis Owusu, The Kid Laroi, Spacey Jane, RÜFÜS DU SOL big winners at the 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music". Australian Recording Industry Association. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Listen to Young Franco, Tkay Maidza and Nerve team up for new single "Real Nice (H.C.T.F.)"". NME Australia. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  23. ^ Rossignol, Joe (15 March 2023). "Apple Shares New AirPods Pro Ad Highlighting Up to 2x Active Noise Cancellation". MacRumors. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  24. ^ "'Where Is My Mind' in the new Apple AirPods commercial". YouTube. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  25. ^ "Tkay Maidza announces new album 'Sweet Justice'". NME. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  26. ^ "Tkay Maidza on bringing a new sound to Australian hip-hop: I didn't really want to fit in". The Guardian. 23 October 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  27. ^ "Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program". Music Development Office (SA). Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  29. ^ "2024 APRA Music Awards nominees announced: Paul Kelly, Troye Sivan, Tex Perkins, and more". Mumbrella. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  30. ^ Harmon, Steph (10 October 2017). "Aria awards 2017: Gang of Youths and Paul Kelly dominate nominations". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  31. ^ "ARIA Awards: 2019 ARIA Awards Nominated Artists Revealed". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  32. ^ "2019 ARIA Award Winners Announced". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 27 November 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  33. ^ "ARIA Awards 2020 Nominees". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  34. ^ Kelly, Vivienne (20 October 2021). "ARIA Awards nominees revealed: Amy Shark & Genesis Owusu lead the charge". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Genesis Owusu, The Kid Laroi, Spacey Jane, RÜFÜS DU SOL big winners at the 2021 ARIA Awards in partnership with YouTube Music". Australian Recording Industry Association. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  36. ^ "Nominees Announced for 2023 ARIA Awards". Music Feeds. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  37. ^ "ARIA Awards 2024 nominations — everything you need to know". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  38. ^ "BET Awards 2016 winners and nominees". BET. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  39. ^ McCabe, Kathy (9 June 2016). "Rising Australian hip hop and pop artist Tkay Maidza is a shock nominee for the American BET Awards". News Corp Australia (News Limited). Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  40. ^ "Here are your nominees for the 2020 J Awards!". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  41. ^ Triscari, Caleb (19 November 2020). "Lime Cordiale take home Australian Album of the Year at the 2020 J Awards". NME Australia. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  42. ^ "Beyoncé And Justin Bieber Lead Nominations for 2016 MTV EMAs". Scoop. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  43. ^ "MTV announces the five nominees for EMA Best Australian Act". Mediaweek. 19 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Nominees 2016". NLMA. 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  45. ^ "NLMA announce 2018 nominees and Live legend". NLMA. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Winners of the 2018 NLMA". NLMA. December 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  48. ^ "Genesis Owusu And Amyl & The Sniffers Win Big At The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  49. ^ Barnes, Amelia (5 December 2011). "Rolling Stone Magazine Australia announces 3rd annual awards event". The AU Review. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
  50. ^ Nail, Jonny (26 February 2015). "Rolling Stone Awards 2015: The Winners". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  51. ^ "Tash Sultana, Tkay Maidza, and Tame Impala Lead Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners". Rolling Stone Australia. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  52. ^ "Troye Sivan, Kylie Minogue & Dom Dolla Among 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees". Rolling Stone Australia. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  53. ^ "Past Winners". South Australian Music Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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