Lady Jaydee - Biography, Career, Brand Ambassadorships and Albums

Fortune Samuel | June 15, 2024 | Biography | No Comments

Judith Wambura Mbibo, known by her stage name Lady Jaydee, is a celebrated Tanzanian singer born on June 15, 1979. Renowned for her versatility in R&B, Zouk, and Afro Pop genres, she has amassed numerous accolades, including over ten Tanzania Music Awards, an Africa Magazine Muzik Award, and two Kenya Bingwa Music Awards.

Lady Jaydee's musical journey has been marked by significant milestones. In 2002, she was voted Best Tanzanian Female R&B Artist. She performed at the Kora All Africa Designers Competition and won the "Best R&B Album" at the Tanzania Music Awards on August 6, 2004. Her recognition continued in July 2005 when she won the award for "Best Female Video for South Africa." Notably, she was among the pioneering female artists to sing R&B in Swahili.

Signed to Taurus Musik, one of Africa's most successful music labels, Lady Jaydee has earned the title of the Queen of Bongo Flava, reflecting her significant impact on Tanzanian music and her enduring influence in the industry.

Early Life and Education

Lady Jaydee, born Judith Wambura Mbibo on June 15, 1979, in Shinyanga, Tanzania, is a prominent singer known for her work in the R&B, Zouk, and Afro Pop genres. She comes from a large family of ten children. Her late father, Lameck Mbibo, and her mother, Martha Mbibo, played significant roles in her upbringing.

Lady Jaydee completed her primary education at Bugoyi Primary School in Shinyanga and her secondary education at Zanaki Secondary School. She is set to celebrate her 45th birthday on June 15, 2024.

In 2017, Lady Jaydee signed a recording deal with Taurus Musik, a prominent African music label that also represents artists such as Alicios Theluji. This partnership has further cemented her position in the music industry and expanded her influence across the continent.

Career

Lady Jaydee quickly established herself as a leading female artist in the Tanzanian music scene. Her 2003 album, "Binti," further cemented her status, earning her the nickname "the Queen of Bongo Flava." Her soulful voice and compelling lyrics garnered her widespread acclaim, leading to multiple awards and recognitions. Throughout her career, she has been honored with seven Tanzania Music Awards and multiple awards from the Pearl of Africa Music Awards, where she was celebrated as the Best Female Artist from Tanzania for several consecutive years, including 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Lady Jaydee started her musical career by signing a recording deal with Taurus Musik. She specialized in R&B, Afro-pop, hip hop, and Bongo Flava. She has released several studio albums and hit songs. She has worked closely with Coke Studio Africa in 2013 as an artist, featuring in the show's first season where she performed some of her hit songs, such as "Joto Hasira" and "Yahaya." She also collaborated with renowned Mali legendary singer Salif Keita and Franck Biyong.

Often likened to international stars such as Mary J. Blige, Lady Jaydee’s influence extends beyond the borders of Tanzania, impacting the R&B genre as a whole. Her style and success story inspire many upcoming artists in Africa and across the world, positioning her as an iconic figure in the global music industry.

Brand Ambassadorship Deals

Zain Tanzania (now Airtel Tanzania): In 2009, Lady Jaydee became the brand ambassador for Zain Tanzania, which later rebranded to Airtel Tanzania.
Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation In Tanzania (CCBRT): In 2010, she was appointed as an ambassador to support women suffering from fistula disease.
NMB (National Microfinance Bank) Tanzania: In 2012, she represented NMB Tanzania as the ambassador for the "PESA FASTA" project.
Oriflame Sweden: In March 2014, Lady Jaydee signed a deal to become a brand ambassador for the international cosmetics brand Oriflame Sweden.
Marie Stopes Tanzania: In 2014, she was appointed as the ambassador for Marie Stopes Tanzania to promote family planning.
Geita Gold Mine: In June 2015, she became the ambassador for Geita Gold Mine's Kill Challenge Fund Against HIV/AIDS.

Personal Life

Lady Jaydee, born Judith Wambura Mbibo, was married to Tanzanian radio personality Gardner Habash. The couple dated for four years before tying the knot in 2015. However, their marriage faced significant challenges, and Lady Jaydee filed for divorce in 2014, citing reasons such as alcoholism, infidelity, and emotional distance. The divorce was finalized in 2016, bringing their 11-year union to an end. Lady Jaydee stated that the marriage had become too difficult for her to continue.

A few months after her divorce, Lady Jaydee began dating Nigerian musician and producer Chibuikem Nwanegbo, popularly known by his stage name, Spicy. The couple made their first public appearance together in December 2016 at the East Africa TV Awards in Tanzania, confirming their relationship. They also collaborated on a track titled "Together," which they recorded in Zanzibar.

Despite rumors of a breakup, Lady Jaydee denied these allegations, explaining that their physical separation was due to work-related issues. Additionally, she announced that she was working on her eighth studio album to celebrate two decades in the music industry.