Vanessa is arguably one of Tanzania’s finest international export. The telnet d singer and songwriter is also a youth activist, radio host, rapper, and television personality.
Before venturing into the music industry, Vanessa had already made a name as being the first-ever MTV VJ from Tanzania.
She has bagged tons of awards throughout her career and has worked with tons of artists in and outside Africa. Vanessa Mdee net worth is currently estimated at $6 million.
Vanessa Mdee profile
- Net worth: $6 million
- Full Name: Vanessa Hau Mdee
- Date of birth: 7 June 1988 (32)
- Nationality: Tanzania
- Occupation: Singer, songwriter, rapper, television personality, radio host, youth activist.
- Gender: Female
- Education: Catholic University of Eastern Africa
- Marital status: Single
- Years active: 2007 – present
Vanessa Mdee Early Life
Vanessa Mdee came into this world on the 7th of June, 1988, to the family of Sammy and Sophia Mdee in Arusha, Tanzania.
She’s the sister of gospel singer Nancy Hebron and rising musician Mimi Mars. Vanessa Mdee spent most of her early life in different cities, including New York, Paris, Arusha, and Nairobi.
She completed her secondary and high-level education at Arusha Modern High School, Arusha, before pursuing a law degree at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Vanessa was exposed to different cultures and forms of creative and performing arts as she grew up.
Vanessa Mdee Career
Vanessa’s road to stardom began in early 2007 when she got the chance to audition for the MTV VJ Search in Dar es Salaam, after which she hosted the Coca-Cola Chart Express alongside Carol and Kule.
By 2008, she had become a known figure in Tanzania and all over the continent, hosting shows in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, Uganda, etc. Her fame also reached Brazil and the United States.
She also began her humanitarian journey in 2008 when she worked with Staying Alive foundation on a project with the then-Staying Alive special ambassador Kelly Rowland. After that, she joined Malaria No More in their Zinduka campaign. The campaign was aimed at the eradication of Malaria.
From 2009 through to 2011, she worked on other projects. She hosted several shows on TV and radio, including MTV Africa Music Awards red carpet events and Sauti Za Busara International Music Festival. She hosted The Hitlist show on Choice FM Tanzania, along with her pan-African weekly TV show, MTV Base select 10.
Vanessa also worked with UNAID as a blogger and even cofounded STANDWIDTH (alongside M. K. Asante) under the UNAID umbrella.
Vanessa Mdee hosted MTV Base Meets in 2012. The show was geared towards empowering young Africans worldwide by giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit with an influential leader. This brought her in the company of former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, Alek Wek, Russell Simmons, and more.
Vanessa’s journey into the music industry also started in 2012 when she worked on the single “me and you” with Ommy Dimpoz. She then went on to release her first single, “Closer,” the following year.
She has also received several ambassador deals from big brands, including Crown Paints, Samsung, Airtel, Coke Studio, ONE.org, and many more.
Other songs by Vanessa Mdee include Come over, Hawajui, Siri, Nobody but me, etc. Her debut album, “Money Mondays,” was released in 2018, and it consisted of eighteen tracks and collaborations from top African artists, including Reekado Banks and P Square’s Peter.
Vanessa also appeared in MTV Base’s TV series, Shuga Down South. In 2019, she was unveiled as one of the judges in the debut season of East Africa’s Got Talent.
Vanessa Mdee personal life
Vanessa Mdee was in a romantic relationship with fellow Tanzania music star Juma Jux for close to six years. But the two had a brief breakup in 2017 following cheating allegations from Vanessa Mdee.
Vanessa Mdee officially ended the relationship in 2018 and is now dating Nigerian-American born singer and actor Rotimi Akinosho.
Vanessa Mdee Achievements
Vanessa Mdee is one of Tanzania’s most decorated artists, with several awards and nominations to her name. Some of them include
- Tanzania Music Awards
- Tanzania People’s Choice Awards
- All Africa Music Awards
- MTV Africa Music Awards
- Kora Awards
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards
- Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2016
Vanessa Mdee Net Worth
As of 2020, Vanessa Mdee net worth is estimated at $6 million, making her one of the wealthiest musicians in Tanzania. She was able to accumulate this amount from endorsement deals, album sales, and many more.
