Tsar Leo

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. He is currently competing for the Independent Music Awards, adding to contemporary musicians from Malawi that are making international headway.

Tsar Leo
Background information
Birth nameLeo Siwale
Born (1995-06-05) 5 June 1995
OriginMalawi
GenresHip hop, R'n'B
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, songwriter,
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2014–present
LabelsIndependent
Associated acts
  • Lawi
  • Faith Mussa
Websitetsarleo.com

Life and career

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. In Malawi, he lists Real Elements

Activism

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
  • 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
  • Blessed LP
  • OldTimes GoodTimes EP

See also

References
  1. "Tsar Leo prepares to storm africa as malawian hip hop comes of age". MTV Base. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  2. "Tsar Leo's The Other Side queues for a world music award". Malawi24. 2 September 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  3. "A-Team – "Your Body" ft. Tsar Leo". Zambian Music Blog. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  4. "Tsar Leo releases 'The Other Side' music video". Malawi24. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  5. "Tsar Leo drops debut album | Malawi 24 - Malawi news". Malawi 24. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. "Bring Them Back Music Video". Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. "Tough Battle in Malawi Urban Music Awards 2015". AllAfrica. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  8. "Malawi #HottestMCs 2016". MTV Base. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  • Zipas Enhs Commentary
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