Birth name Leo Siwale Instruments Vocals Labels Independent | Origin Malawi Years active 2014–present | |
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Born 5 June 1995 (age 21) ( 1995-06-05 ) Occupation(s) Rapper, singer, songwriter Genres Hip hop music, Rhythm and blues Nominations Independent Music Award for Best Song - Rap or Hip-Hop Similar Home Grown African, Tay Grin, Maskal, Lucius Banda, Young Kay | ||
Leo Siwale (born 5 June 1995), known professionally by his stage name Tsar Leo, is a Malawian rapper, singer and songwriter. He was nominated as Malawi's Best New Artist of the Year for 2015. He is currently competing for the Independent Music Awards, adding to contemporary musicians from Malawi that are making international headway.
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Life and career
Currently based in Malawi’s Capital City, Lilongwe, Tsar Leo came into the limelighht in 2014 after releasing "Things We Do" featuring KeiM. Since then, he has so far released a string of singles that have received positive reception in the region. But "The Other Side" is Tsar Leo’s international breakthrough, featuring in different music channels across Africa. The song is vying for 2016 Independent Music Awards nomination. He has also performed with artists from other countries like Zambia's A-Team
Tsar Leo is well known for fusing rapping and singing, with an audible contrast between typical hip-hop beats and melody, abrasive rapping coupled with softer accents, delivered with an egotistical lyricism, a style popularised by Drake and Big Sean. Not surprising therefore that he has been christened as the Drake from Africa.
He is popular among young people due to the fact that he performs his songs in English and that hip hop, known as urban music in Malawi, is a music taste for this age group. He has headlined a number of urban music festivals such as Malawi Urban Music. He has worked with other renowned artist in Malawi including: Lawi, Faith Mussa and has shared stage with: Tay Grin; Hazel Mak; Theo Thomson; Piksy, Sonye, Dan Lu, Nessness and Black Missionaries.
He lists Drake, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar among those who have influenced his style and interest in music. In Malawi, he lists Real Elements
Activism
Tsar Leo joined hands with Plan International Malawi and Amplified Movement on a series of projects that advocate children's rights in Malawi through music. He performed a song, titled Bring Them Home, with an ensemble of Malawian musicians. The song addresses the issue of child trafficking.
Nominations
MTV Base listed Tsar Leo as one of the 2016 top 10 hottest hip-hop artists from Malawi.