Kwanza Jones

Kwanza Jones
Origin Los Angeles, United States
Genres Dance, pop
Occupation(s) singer, songwriter, actress, music producer, philanthropist, CEO
Years active 2001-present
Labels Innovation Entertainment
Website kwanzajones.com

Kwanza Jones is an American dance / pop singer and songwriter. She was born in Los Angeles, California and started her singing career when she was in college at Princeton University. She is currently signed to the independent label "Innovation Entertainment".

Biography

Kwanza was born in Los Angeles, California on Thanksgiving Day. At the age of four Kwanza’s family moved to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. where she spent her formative years playing flute, violin, piano and singing in the choir at her school and church. Her paternal great-grandmother played piano for famous blues singer Bessie Smith in the 1920s.

She studied at Princeton University, in Princeton, New Jersey. At this time she was in an a cappella group, was a soloist in the gospel choir and was in an electronica band. She had a chance meeting with music legend Quincy Jones which got her interested in music as a profession. Kwanza has a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

After her first album, she moved back to Los Angeles to continue her career.

Early career

She wrote her first album Naked when she was attending Princeton University. At this time, she played a lot in bars and other small venues. Her biggest performance during this time was at the World Famous Apollo Theater in New York.

When she graduated she decided to travel a little and wrote her second album Naked 2: universal fire. Along with original material, this album also featured two cover songs, The Doors' "Light My Fire" and Ashford & Simpson's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".[1]

When she arrived back in the US, she moved to Los Angeles to find her roots and continue her music career.

Recent projects

Kwanza Jones' song "Think Again" earned her first appearance on the Billboard charts. She debut at #47 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Charts. In December 2010, it was #3 on the Biggest Jump list.[2] In February 2011, it peaked at #21 on the Billboard charts.[3] "Think Again - The Remixes" is a Dance project featuring the single, "Think Again" where Kwanza collaborated with Grammy nominated American DJ/producer/remixer, Mike Rizzo. Also working with her on this project was DJ Lynnwood and Jaime J Sanchez. This project was released on November 26, 2010.[4]

Charity work

Before January 2010, Kwanza joined the likes of Sinéad O'Connor, Beyoncé Knowles and Mary J. Blige (to name a few) in support of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS). The most recent campaign from this organization, "Girls Are Not for Sale", is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness to and ending the growing issue of state-side sex trafficking.[5]

Kwanza has recorded her third studio album, called Supercharged.

Discography

Singles, Remixes & EPs

TitleRelease Date
Supercharged - The Remixes2013 (Feb)
Time To Go - The Complete Remixes2012 (Apr)
Time To Go - The Remixes2012 (Apr)
Time To Go2011 (Nov)
Think Again - The Remixes, Pt. 22011 (Jul)
Think Again - The Remixes2010 (Nov)
Not a Breakup Song2010 (May)
Everything Around You2009 (Jul)
Victim of the System2005 (Dec)

Albums

TitleRelease Date
Supercharged2013 (Mar)
Supercharged - Deluxe Edition2013 (Feb)
Naked 2: universal fire2005 (Nov)
Naked2001 (Dec)

Tours

  • Gladiators “Я” Vicious Tour (2013)
  • Bring The Heat Tour (2012)
  • Girls 4 Boys Tour (2011)

Charts and awards

YearTitleChartWeeks on ChartPeak Position
2013SuperchargedDJ Times National Dance/Crossover82
2013Supercharged[6]Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs1119
2013Supercharged[7]Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs247
2012Time To GoBillboard Hot Dance Club Songs734
2011Think AgainBillboard Hot Dance Club Songs1121

References

  1. ↑ "Naked, Vol. 2: Universal Fire - Kwanza Jones". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2011-10-02. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  2. ↑ "Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart - Week of December 25, 2010". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  3. ↑ "Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart - Week of February 05, 2011". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  4. ↑ "Think Again - The Remixes: Kwanza Jones: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  5. ↑ "Female Vocalist Kwanza Jones Joins National Campaign 'Girls Are Not For Sale' - Hip Hop Culture". Zimbio. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  6. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/files/pdfs/chart_index/artistindex_feb_16_2013.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/files/pdfs/chart_index/artistindex_feb_16_2013.pdf
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