Tkay Maidza - Biography, Career and Songs

Takudzwa Victoria Rosa "Tkay" Maidza is a Zimbabwean-born Australian singer-songwriter and rapper. She gained attention in 2014 with her debut EP, *Switch Tape*, which showcased her unique blend of pop and R&B. This release led to comparisons with artists like M.I.A. and Banks, and the singles "Switch Lanes" and "MOB" did well on the charts.

In 2017, Maidza’s full-length album, *Tkay*, reached the Top 20 in Australia. She continued to release vibrant EPs, including *Last Year Was Weird, Vols. 1 to 3*, with the third volume winning the ARIA Award for Best Soul/R&B Release. She has collaborated with electronic producers such as Flume and Kaytranada and returned in 2023 with her album *Sweet Justice*.

Maidza admires artists like Kendrick Lamar, Santigold, Lauryn Hill, and Childish Gambino.

Early Life and Education

Takudzwa Victoria Rosa "Tkay" Maidza was born on December 17, 1995, in Harare, Zimbabwe. Her parents, who are metallurgists, moved the family to Australia in 2001 when Tkay was five. They lived in Perth, Kalgoorlie, and Whyalla before settling in Adelaide in 2010.

She graduated from St Michael's College at 16 and started studying architecture at the University of South Australia. However, she dropped out to focus on her music career and joined Adelaide’s Northern Sound System artist development program. At just 17, Tkay released her debut single, "Brontosaurus," produced by Badcop, which reached number 89 on the ARIA charts. This success led to her 2014 EP *Switch Tape*, featuring popular tracks like "Uh-Huh" and "M.O.B.," produced by Luke McKay.

Career

In January 2013, Tkay Maidza uploaded "Handle My Ego," featuring Badcop, to Triple J Unearthed. Her debut single, "Brontosaurus," released in December 2013 with Badcop, reached number 89 on the ARIA Charts. In July 2014, she released "Uh-Huh," which was certified platinum in 2022.

In October 2014, Maidza released her debut EP *Switch Tape*, which included collaborations with Night Slugs' Bok Bok and producer SBTRKT. She performed at major events like Splendour in the Grass, CMJ Music Marathon, and St Jerome's Laneway Festival in 2014 and 2015. She also took part in Triple J's "Beat the Drum" concert in 2015, celebrating the station's 40th anniversary and performing with various Australian guest rappers.

In May 2016, she was featured on Martin Solveig's single "Do It Right." Later, on August 30, 2016, she released "Carry On," featuring US rapper Killer Mike. This track was the lead single from her debut album, *Tkay*, which came out on October 28, 2016. The album peaked at number 20 on the ARIA charts and was nominated for several awards at the ARIA Music Awards of 2017.

In August 2018, Tkay Maidza released the first EP of a trilogy called *Last Year Was Weird*. She signed with the English label 4AD in May 2020 and dropped the single "Shook," which was well-received by NME and Rolling Stone. Later that year, she released *Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 2)*, which earned a nomination for Best Soul/R&B Release at the ARIA Music Awards.

In February 2021, Maidza released "Kim," a track featuring US artist Yung Baby Tate. She announced that the third EP in the *Last Year Was Weird* series would come out in July. *Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 3)* won Best Soul/R&B Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 2021.

On November 19, 2021, she released "Real Nice (H.C.T.F.)" with Young Franco featuring Nerve, which became the theme song for the A-League, the professional soccer league in Australia and New Zealand.

In March 2023, her cover of Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" was featured in an Apple AirPods commercial. She followed this with the release of "Silent Assassin" with Flume and "Ring-a-Ling" in July 2023. Her second studio album, *Sweet Justice*, was released on November 3, 2023.

Discography

Albums

2016 - Tkay

2023 - Sweet Justice

EPs

2014 - Switch Tape 

2018 - Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 1)

2020 - Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 2)

2021 - Last Year Was Weird (Vol. 3)

Singles

2013 - Brontosaurus

2017 - Glorious

2017 - Bom Bom

2019 - IDC If U Be Ded

2021 - Real Nice (H.C.T.F.)