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Libianca

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Libianca
Libianca in 2023
Born
Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji

(2000-07-23) July 23, 2000 (age 24)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.[1]
Citizenship
  • Cameroon
  • United States
Musical career
OriginBamenda, Cameroon
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • audio engineer
Years active2019–present
Labels
  • West Side Creative
  • 5K
  • RCA

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji (born July 23, 2000), known mononymously as Libianca, is a Cameroonian-American singer. She is best known for her breakout single "People" (2022). She previously competed in the 21st season of American TV show The Voice in 2021.

Early life

[edit]

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji was born on July 23, 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[2][3] In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Libianca recalled that when she was four years old, her family experienced issues with immigration.[3] Her mother decided to have the family relocate to Bamenda, Cameroon, before they could be deported.[4] In her upbringing in Bamenda, Libianca sung in gospel choirs and attended a boarding school, where she learned how to play the guitar.[5]

2021–present: The Voice and "People"

[edit]

In 2021, Libianca competed on the twenty-first season of NBC's The Voice, where Blake Shelton was her coach.[6][7] She made her way to the top 20 before being eliminated.[8] Her covers of "Everything I Wanted" and "Woman" on the show were later released as singles via West Side Creative Agency.[citation needed]

Libianca signed to 5K Records and Sony in 2022.[9] In December of that year, she released "People", a song inspired by her cyclothymia. The song debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, at No. 1 in UK Afrobeats chart, peaked at No. 2 in UK Official chart, and received wide attention across social media.[10]

Libianca performed as an opening at Alicia Keys' 2023 Keys to the Summer Tour.[11]

Artistry

[edit]

Libianca takes influence from genres prevalent in her upbringing, such as Cameroonian music, Nigerian music, and highlife. She describes her music as an "intersection of R&B, Afrobeats, [and] soul". Her songwriting has been praised by publications such as Complex UK for its honesty.[12][better source needed]

Death threats

[edit]

In April 2024, Libianca announced that she was postponing her North American tour following death threats for performing with a Cameroonian flag issued by separatists fighting in the Anglophone Crisis. The separatists consider the Cameroonian flag brandished by the singer as a sign of support for President Paul Biya, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders and dictators.[13]

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
List of EPs, with selected details
Title Details
Walk Away
  • Released: December 8, 2023
  • Format: Digital
  • Label: 5K Records, Sony

Singles

[edit]
List of singles and selected peak chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[14] 		CAN
[15] 		FRA
[16] 		NLD
[17] 		NZ
[18] 		SWE
[19] 		SWI
[17] 		UK
[20] 		US
[21] 		WW
[22]
"Level" 2019 — — — — — — — — — —
"My Place" 2020 — — — — — — — — — —
"Revenge" — — — — — — — — — —
"Thank You" 2021 — — — — — — — — — —
"Special Lovin'" — — — — — — — — — —
"People" 2022 22 39 19 1 2 16 9 2 80 20
"Jah"[31] 2023 — — — — — — — — — —

Other charted songs

[edit]
List of other charted songs and selected peak chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot
[32]
"Mistaken"
(with Oxlade and Chlöe) 		2024 16 Walk Away

Awards

[edit]

Africa Entertainment Awards USA

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Herself Best Francophone Female Artist/Group Pending [33]
Best Female Artist Pending
"People" Song of the Year Pending

The Future Awards Africa

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Herself Prize for Music Pending [34]

MTV Video Music Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 People Best Afrobeats Nominated [35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Conteh, Mankaprr (January 20, 2023). "Libianca Is the Afro Soul Siren Who Can Do Everything". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Ihejirika, Uzoma (January 23, 2023). "Best New Music: Libianca's "People (Check On Me)" Gets Real About Mental Health". The NATIVE. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Edu, DJ (March 4, 2023). "Africa Live this week: 27 February-5 March 2023". BBC News. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "Libianca: Di true story behind di star of 'more alcohol' song, People". BBC News Pidgin (in Pidgin (Cameroon)). March 11, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Buchan, Kit (July 29, 2023). "One to watch: Libianca". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Henderson, Cydney. "'The Voice': Blake Shelton 'heartbroken' after eliminating his own 'God's Country' singer". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Donnellan, Sara (October 7, 2021). "WATCH: 'The Voice' Contestant Picks Coach Based on a Sign from God". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Tribune, Neal Justin Star (November 10, 2021). "Minnesota contestant Libianca eliminated from 'The Voice'". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  9. ^ "Rising Star Libianca Shares Visuals To Hit 'People' – OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  10. ^ Rys, Heran Mamo,Dan; Mamo, Heran; Rys, Dan (January 24, 2023). "Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month: Burna Boy, Libianca, Aya Nakamura & More". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Portugal, Andrew (May 13, 2023). "'The Voice' Alum Libianca Set to Perform Alongside Alicia Keys on the Keys to the Summer Tour". Talent Recap. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Aklilu, Rahel. "Libianca Takes The World!". Complex. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Wedaeli, Chibelushi. "Libianca on 'horrific threats' over Cameroon's Anglophone war". BBC News. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  14. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  15. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 20, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  16. ^ "Top Singles (Week 26, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Libianca – People". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  18. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  19. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 4". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  20. ^ "Libianca | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 24, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  22. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of May 27, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  24. ^ "British certifications – Libianca". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 23, 2023. Type Libianca in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  25. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Libianca)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  26. ^ "Canadian certifications – Libianca". Music Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  27. ^ "Dutch certifications – Libianca" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved December 8, 2023. Enter Libianca in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  28. ^ "American certifications – Libianca". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  29. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Libianca – People". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  30. ^ "French certifications – Libianca" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  31. ^ "JAH DROPS THIS MONTH 🤪🤪🤪🤪I've been itching to drop 😂I'm trying out new things with the song while waiting😁". Retrieved June 5, 2023 – via Instagram.
  32. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Meyers (September 15, 2023). "Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2023: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  34. ^ "FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023". TheCable Lifestyle. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  35. ^ MTV. "Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards". www.mtv.com. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
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