Tsar Leo
Tsar Leo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Leo Siwale |
| Born | 5 June 1995 |
| Origin | Malawi |
| Genres | Hip hop, R'n'B |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, singer, songwriter, |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Independent |
| Website | tsarleo |
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.
Life and career[edit]
Based in Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, Tsar Leo came into the limelight in 2014 after releasing "Things We Do" featuring KeiM. Since then, he has so far released a string of successful singles. "The Other Side" was Tsar Leo's international breakthrough, featuring in different music channels across Africa.[1] The song was nominated in the 2016 Independent Music Awards.[2] He has also performed with artists from other countries like Zambia's A-Team [3]
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.[4]
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.
In 2020, Siwale released his EP “OldTimes GoodTmes” & his debut album “ENERGY”.[5]
He lists Drake, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar among those who have influenced his style and interest in music.
Activism[edit]
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.[6]
Nominations[edit]
- Malawi Music of the Year 2016 for the Other Side. Other nominees in the category include: Tay Grin, Zani Challe and Dan Lufani.
- Malawi Best New Artist of the Year (2015) [7]
MTV Base listed Tsar Leo as one of the 2016 top 10 hottest hip-hop artists from Malawi.[8]
Discography[edit]
- Blessed LP
- OldTimes GoodTimes EP
- Energy
- Still and Always EP
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Tsar Leo prepares to storm africa as malawian hip hop comes of age". MTV Base. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ "Tsar Leo's The Other Side queues for a world music award". Malawi24. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ "A-Team – "Your Body" ft. Tsar Leo". Zambian Music Blog. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ "Tsar Leo releases 'The Other Side' music video". Malawi24. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ "Tsar Leo drops debut album | Malawi 24 - Malawi news". Malawi 24. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- ^ "Bring Them Back Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
- ^ "Tough Battle in Malawi Urban Music Awards 2015". AllAfrica. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
- ^ "Malawi #HottestMCs 2016". MTV Base. Retrieved 23 November 2016.