Kwanza Jones

Kwanza Jones is an American artist, investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.[1][2][3] She was born in Los Angeles, California. Jones started her singing career after performing and winning Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater while in college at Princeton University. Her philanthropy, investments and artistry focus on empowerment, education, equity and entrepreneurship.[4]

Kwanza Jones
OriginLos Angeles, United States
GenresDance-pop • R&B
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, music producer, music video director, investor
Years active2001–present
LabelsInnovation
Websitekwanzajones.com

Biography

Kwanza was born in Los Angeles, California on Thanksgiving Day. At the age of four, her family moved to Washington, D.C., where she spent her formative years playing flute, violin, piano and singing in the choir at her school and church. Her paternal great-grandmother played piano for famous blues singer Bessie Smith.

Kwanza ran track and field throughout high school and college, leading her teams to numerous victories.[5][6] Her commitment to contribute to society, and active civic engagement, led her to serve on the D.C. State Board of Education as an elected Student Member.[7]

Kwanza Jones attended Princeton University, in Princeton, New Jersey. Her focus was interdisciplinary as she majored in Public and International Affairs at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. While there she was in an a cappella group,[8] a soloist in the gospel choir, and in an electronica band. She had a chance meeting with music legend Quincy Jones which piqued her interest in music as a profession. After graduating from Princeton, Kwanza Jones was Miss Baltimore.[9] She has a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a Master of Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law.

Career

Kwanza Jones' debut album, Naked, was conceived while she was attending Princeton University. At this time, she played a lot in bars and other small venues. Her biggest performance during this time was at the World Famous Apollo Theater in New York.

When she graduated she decided to travel a little and wrote her second album Naked 2: universal fire. Along with original material, this album also featured two cover songs, The Doors' "Light My Fire" and Ashford & Simpson's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".[10]

When she arrived back in the US, she moved to Los Angeles to continue her music career.

Kwanza Jones' song "Think Again" earned her first appearance on the Billboard charts. She debut at No. 47 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play Charts. In December 2010, it was No. 3 on the Biggest Jump list.[11] In February 2011, it peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard charts.[12] "Think Again – The Remixes" is a Dance project featuring the single, "Think Again" where Kwanza collaborated with Grammy nominated American DJ/producer/remixer, Mike Rizzo. Also working with her on this project was DJ Lynnwood and Jaime J Sanchez. This project was released on November 26, 2010.[13] All of Kwanza Jones' music has been release on her independent label Innovation Entertainment.[14] Kwanza Jones' most recent studio album, is Supercharged; she has released numerous singles since then.

Philanthropy and Impact

In 2020, Kwanza Jones announced a $20 million gift to Princeton University to help expand the student body and in support of access and inclusion.[15]

In 2020, Kwanza Jones wrote an Open Love Letter to Princeton to help remove Woodrow Wilson name off buildings.

In 2019, Kwanza Jones joined the board of directors of Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization.[16]

In 2017, Kwanza Jones responded to the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit the island. She was an anchor sponsor supporting recovery efforts, including resources, relief, and rebuilding.[17] She has also supported the United Way as a member of the Tocqueville Society.[18]

In 2010, Kwanza Jones joined artists Beyoncé Knowles, Sinéad O'Connor, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, and others, in support of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services' (GEMS) campaign, "Girls Are Not for Sale."[19][20] This is a national campaign committed to ending the commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking of girls and young women.[21]

Charts and awards
YearTitleChartWeeks on ChartPeak Position
2017 Summer Forever[22] Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs 10 20
2016 Shatterproof[23] Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs 9 20
2015 Turn It Up[24] Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs 12 8
2015 Turn It Up[24] Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs 5 37
2014 Vicious[25] Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs 8 38
2013Supercharged[26]DJ Times National Dance/Crossover82
2013Supercharged[27]Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs1119
2013Supercharged[27]Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs341
2012Time To Go[28]Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs734
2011Think Again[29]Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs1121

Discography
TitleRelease Date Release Type
Problem 2019 Single
Summer Forever 2017 EP
Blah Zey Blah 2017 Single
Shatterproof 2017 Single
Move Like It's Christmas 2016 Single
Turn It Up – Remixes 2015 Album
Vicious – The Remixes 2014 EP
Supercharged – The Remixes2013 Album
Supercharged – Deluxe Edition 2013 Album
Supercharged 2013 Album
Time To Go – The Complete Remixes2012 Album
Time To Go – The Remixes2012 Album
Time To Go2011 Single
Think Again – The Remixes, Pt. 22011 EP
Think Again – The Remixes, Pt. 12010 Album
Not a Breakup Song2010 Single
Everything Around You2009 Single
Naked 2: universal fire 2006 Album
Victim of the System 2005 EP
Naked 2001 Album

Tours
  • Gladiators "Я” Vicious Tour (2013)
  • Bring The Heat Tour (2012)
  • Girls 4 Boys Tour (2011)

References
  1. "Kwanza Jones". Billboard. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  2. "M&A wrap: Clearlake, Bennett College, Aurora, Amazon.com, Sequoia". Mergers & Acquisitions. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  3. "Feb. 12, 2019: Ressa '86 Faces New Charges; Campbell '04 on What Drives Her Work in Government". Princeton Alumni Weekly. February 12, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  4. "Celebrities, Leaders Speaking at UNCF-Member HBCU Commencements". UNCF. April 25, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  5. "Coolidge, H.D. Woodson Capture Track Victories". The Washington Post. n.d. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  6. "Women's Track and Field". studylib.net. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  7. "D.C. to be Linked by Chain of Hands". The Washington Post. n.d. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  8. "A tradition of voice: A cappella at Princeton". Princeton University. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  9. "Meet Singer, Songwriter Kwanza Jones". 93.1 WZAK. February 9, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  10. "Naked, Vol. 2: Universal Fire – Kwanza Jones". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  11. "Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart – Week of December 25, 2010". Billboard. n.d. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  12. "Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart – Week of February 05, 2011". Billboard. n.d. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  13. "Think Again – The Remixes: Kwanza Jones: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. n.d. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  14. "innovation entertainment group | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  15. Gara, Antoine. "Princeton's Student Body Will Expand After $20 Million Gift From Artist Kwanza Jones And Private Equity Executive José Feliciano". Forbes. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  16. "Susan G. Komen Welcomes Leaders in Finance, Pharma, Marketing and Philanthropy to Board of Directors". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  17. "Private Equity Investors Fundraise for Puerto Rico Disaster Relief". Middle Market Growth. October 13, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  18. "Los Angeles Times – The Tocqueville Society $10,000 – $1Million +". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  19. "Beyonce Supports the Girls of GEMS | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  20. "Singer-Songwriter Kwanza Jones Joins Mary J. Blige & Sinead O'Connor in Video for "This is to Mother You | | Kick Mag The Urban Eclectic". Kick Mag The Urban Eclectic. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  21. "Female Vocalist Kwanza Jones Joins National Campaign 'Girls Are Not For Sale' – Hip Hop Culture". Zimbio. January 26, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
  22. "Kwanza Jones Summer Forever Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  23. "Kwanza Jones Shatterproof Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  24. "Kwanza Jones Turn It Up Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  25. "Kwanza Jones Vicious Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  26. "DJ Times May 2013, Vol 26 No 5". Issuu. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  27. "Kwanza Jones Supercharged Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  28. "Kwanza Jones Time To Go Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  29. "Kwanza Jones Think Again Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
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