Libianca, whose full name is Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji, is a Cameroonian-American music artist who has been making waves in the global music scene with her honest lyrics, captivating voice, and versatile styles. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and innovative artists in the Afrobeats genre, which blends elements of African pop, hip hop, dancehall, and R&B. Libianca has also proven herself as a talented audio engineer, a fearless advocate, and a visionary leader in the music industry12
Origins and Early Career
Libianca was born in 2000 or 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. She grew up in a musical family, with her grandmother being a professional opera singer. She developed a passion for singing and songwriting from a young age, and started performing at local events and fairs. She also learned to play the guitar, keyboard, and sequencer12
At the age of four, Libianca moved to Bamenda, Cameroon, with her family due to immigration issues. She spent her childhood and adolescence in Bamenda, where she sang in gospel choirs and attended a boarding school. She also developed an interest in audio engineering, and started making electronic music in her bedroom using a laptop and various software. She uploaded her songs to the internet, and attracted the attention of a music manager, who helped her sign a recording contract with West Side Creative Agency in 201912
In 2019, Libianca released her debut single, “Level”, which showcased her unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and soul. The song received positive feedback from critics and fans alike, and earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at the African Music Awards in 2020. She also released two more singles, “Revenge” and “My Place”, which further established her as a rising star in the Afrobeats scene12
Breakthrough and Global Success
In 2021, Libianca competed on the twenty-first season of NBC’s The Voice, where Blake Shelton was her coach. She made her way to the top 20 before being eliminated. Her covers of “Everything I Wanted” and “Woman” on the show were later released as singles via West Side Creative Agency12
Libianca signed to 5K Records and Sony in 2022. In December of that year, Libianca released “People”, a song inspired by her cyclothymia, a rare mood disorder that causes emotional ups and downs. The song debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, at No. 1 in UK Afrobeats chart, peaked at No. 2 in UK Official chart, and received wide attention across social media. The song also became the number-one song of 2022 globally according to Billboard. The song also received a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 202312
Libianca performed as an opening act at Alicia Keys’ 2023 Keys to the Summer Tour. She also collaborated with other prominent artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Kygo, and Halsey, and appeared on the cover of various magazines, such as Rolling Stone, Vogue, and Variety. She also received several awards and nominations, such as the BET Award for Best International Act, the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, and the Headies Award for Digital Artist of the Year12
Future Plans and Vision
Libianca has stated that she wants to continue to push the boundaries of music and create a new sound that transcends genres and cultures. She has also expressed her desire to inspire and empower the youth of Africa and the world, and to use her platform to raise awareness on social issues and causes. She has also launched her own clothing line, People, which reflects her fashion sense and personality12
Libianca is undoubtedly one of the most talented and visionary artists of her generation, and she has proven that she has what it takes to conquer the world with her music and message. She is a true representation of the power and potential of African music and culture, and she is set to become a legend in the history of music.