Kwanza Jones established her dance-pop credentials in 2011 with her Billboard charting hit, “Think Again.” This song signaled the Supercharged sound for Jones, who is known for her never-ending energy and non-stop curves. Born in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day, Kwanza exhibited a certain star quality from childhood to present — often winning beauty and talent contests, including the Miss Baltimore pageant. Being a former track star, her competitive drive was just as strong. This might explain why Jones, who grew up in Washington, DC, finished at the top of her high school class and went on to graduate from Princeton University.
Although new to the scene, Kwanza Jones has made key national appearances including performances at White Party, the Girls 4 Boys Tour, MGM Grand, Matinee Las Vegas, Winter Music Conference and stops in San Francisco, San Diego, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York. Kwanza’s latest single, “Time To Go”, already has people talking. The newly released video was recently featured on numerous sites including Yahoo Music alongside Nicki Minaj and on British celebrity gossip site PopDash.
The daughter of two lawyers, Kwanza foresaw a career on the business and legal side of the entertainment industry. However, a chance meeting with Quincy Jones and a performance at the world famous Apollo Theater, altered her course. Despite the lure of the Hollywood lights, Jones chose to spend time in New York City honing her songwriting skills, teaching herself guitar, attending law school and “getting some life lessons.”
She credits her experience during a rigorous nine-day climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, as teaching her about the power of perseverance. Kwanza reached the top via the Western Breach — one of the most difficult and dangerous routes which was later closed because people died from rock-fall. She says, “I could have taken an easier route but where’s the fun in that?”
Other life experiences include Kwanza’s brush with “love gone wrong,“ when she was kicked out of her New York apartment during the winter. This planted the seeds for her anthemic songs about strength and self-reliance. These songs can be heard in her upcoming release, Supercharged. This album, a fusion of dance and pop, is produced by Luke Tozour (Katy Perry, Pink, Mika, Adam Lambert, Selena Gomez).
When asked to describe herself to a new fan, Kwanza says, “I’m a gladiator in a thong.” In talking about her upcoming album, Supercharged, Kwanza says, “it’s music for superheroes and divas (or those who want to be).” The cover for her new single, Time To Go is a visual representation of this theme. Some say she looks like a fierce drag queen and she takes that as a compliment. That could explain why Rupaul’s Drag Race tweeted that “Kwanza Jones” is a great holiday drag name. Kwanza laughs and prefers to say she looks “Vicious.” Of course, that’s also the title of one of this budding diva’s upcoming singles.
More than a singer and songwriter, Kwanza Jones is an “Ambassador for Equality” — an outspoken supporter of equality and empowerment causes. Kwanza says, “How can we live in a country that declares all men (and women!) are created equal, yet we have an entire class of people who don’t have equal rights solely because of their sexual preference? Marriage equality is not a gay issue, it’s a civil rights issue. Bullying and violence against LGBTs are not gay issues, they are criminal issues. We must end discrimination in all forms! My goal is that my music and performances will encourage people to feel empowered and join together against inequality.”
Like the gladiator in her song, Supercharged, Kwanza Jones is relentless in spreading her music and message. She unashamedly uses her blend of vicious energy, divalicious looks, daredevil spirit, and supercharged beats to keep the world listening.