Tkay Maidza named in Vevo’s global Ones To Watch 2017

With Tkay Maidza’s debut album Tkay set for release in the UK and Europe on January 20, the rapper has had a major boost to her career abroad.

Vevo in the US and UK have included her in its list of 20 names that it tips will be ‘dscvrd’ and break big in 2017.

Sam Smith, George Ezra, Years and Years, James Bay and Ella Eyre were all named on VEVO’s DSCVR Ones To Watch at the start of their careers.

Maidza’s overseas touring and media blitz has given her a high profile among the circle of rising acts.

She’s teamed up with Run the Jewels’ Killer Mike, and performed alongside Charli XCX and Mark Ronson. The 20-year-old was earlier this year nominated for BET’s Best New International Act of 2016.

What’s more, she has the story that the overseas media is fascinated with.

Not too many new acts has a story like hers. Born in Zimbabwe (as Takudzwa Victoria Rosa Maidza), moved to Australia at the age 5, raised in Adelaide, was being trained as a tennis champion by Lleyton Hewitt’s former coach after starting to play in primary school, graduated from high school at 16, and studying architecture when triple j made Brontosaurus a hit.

The Vevo list also includes:

AJ Tracey

Nadia Rose

Creeper

The Big Moon

Raye

The Magic Gang

Jorja Smith

Tender

Will Joseph Cook

Skott

070 Shake

Dagny

Maggie Rogers

K.I.D.

Young M.A.

Kiah Victoria

Russ

Big Jesus

Stanaj

The exposure that Maidza will get as a result of the Vevo tie-in is massive. Along with the 19 others, she will be showcased via a series of live performances and related content over the next few months.

In a company first, Vevo has published a full print and digital magazine to accompany the series, featuring interviews, photos, and features from each of the artists on the list. The magazine will be available from a range of retail stores and live music venues in the UK and America.

James Moodie, Vevo’s Senior Manager of Talent & Music, says the artists selected were those “who are doing some exciting stuff at the moment.

“Visually being able to support these artists by producing performances with them and for the first time producing a Vevo zine to accompany the list has meant we have been able to present these artists to new audiences in the UK, US and beyond.

“We are really proud of this and we’re excited to support some of the very best new music to come in 2017.”