Zakiya (singer)

Zakiya A. Munnerlyn was formerly an American R&B/soul singer who released a self-titled studio album on DV8 Records in 1997. Two singles from the album, "Love Like Mine" and "My Love Won't Fade Away", entered Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Zakiya
Birth nameZakiya Munnerlyn
Born1977 (age 43–44)
Hillside, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresR&B, soul, pop
Occupation(s)singer
Years active1992 – 1999
LabelsA&M / DV8

Career

As a 15-year-old, Zakiya was crowned Hal Jackson's Talented Teens Miss International Queen of 1992.[1] Two years later, she signed with Ric Wake's production company as part of the girl group Faces. After a year with the group, Zakiya pursued a solo career and signed with DV8 Records in 1995.

Her debut single, "Love Like Mine", was released in 1996. A review of the song in Billboard, which compared Zakiya's musical style to that of Brandy, remarked that Zakiya "has the voice to be taken seriously [as] she slinks through a song that has a sing-along refrain that permanently sticks to the brain after the first listen."[2] Andrew Hamilton of Allmusic was critical of the CD single for containing five different versions of the song.[3] The music video for "Love Like Mine" was added to BET's video rotation, and the single peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[4][5]

Zakiya's second single, "My Love Won't Fade Away", was released in 1997. The song features a guest rap by Charisma and a sample of Barry White's 1977 song "Playing Your Game, Baby". A Billboard review of "My Love Won't Fade Away" compared Zakiya's voice to that of a young Gladys Knight, and that she "exudes mucho star power on this sleek jeep-soul cruiser."[6] The music video for the song was added to BET's video rotation and it reached number one on The Box's weekly video countdown in May 1997.[7][8] Zakiya's self-titled debut album was also released that month, and "My Love Won't Fade Away" peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[5]

A 12-inch single for "I Like" was released in 1998, in addition to another single ("I Wanna Be Where You Are"). An EP containing seven tracks slated for her sophomore album appeared on vinyl later that year.[9] However, Zakiya was dropped from DV8 before work on her second album was completed.

Currently retired from the music industry, in 2012 she opened a floral shop in Maplewood, New Jersey which is still open.[10]

Discography

Album
Album information
Zakiya

Singles
Title Year Peak chart positions
US R&B[5]
"Love Like Mine" August 20, 1996 60
"My Love Won't Fade Away" April 22, 1997 52
"I Like" 1998 —
"—" denotes release that has not charted.

References
  1. Ross, Pinnie (September 12, 1992). "The International Pageant Finals". Baltimore Afro-American. p. B14.
  2. "Singles: Pop". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 108 (34): 113. August 24, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. Hamilton, Andrew. "Zakiya - 'Love Like Mine' - Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  4. "Billboard Video Monitor". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 108 (40): 102. October 5, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. "Zakiya - Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  6. "Singles: R&B". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 109 (17): 73. April 26, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. "Billboard Video Monitor". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 109 (13): 84. March 29, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. "Billboard Video Monitor". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 109 (20): 73. May 17, 1997. ISSN 0006-2510.
  10. "Zakiya's Way Floral Designs". Zakiyaswayfloraldesigns.webs.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
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