Cleo Ice Queen

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For the South African DJ, see DJ Cleo.

Cleo Ice Queen
Born
Clementina Mulenga

(1989-06-14) 14 June 1989 (age 34)[1]
Lusaka, Zambia
Other names
  • Cleo Ice Queen[2]
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Model
  • Entrepreneur
Spouse
Kalale Masengu
​
(m. 2019)​
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
Years active2011–present
LabelsDef Jam
Websitewww.cleoicequeen.com

Clementina Mulenga Masengu (born June 14, 1989), popularly known as Cleo Ice Queen,[3][4] is a Zambian musician and television personality. To her music career, she has two successful albums and affiliations with international labels such as Def Jam Records,[5] Cleo has earned numerous accolades, including the Best Female Rapper Southern Africa at the 2021 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) [6] and Best Female Artiste Southern Africa at the 2022 All Africa Music Awards (Afrima).

Cleo rose to prominence in 2013 when she participated in the eighth season of the reality television series Big Brother Africa,[7] known as The Chase. She has won several awards, including the 2015 AFRIMMA Best Female in Southern Africa and the 2017 Best Female in the SunFm Kwacha Music Awards.

Early life and career[edit]

Born on June 14, 1989, Cleo grew up in a family of five with two brothers and two sisters. Her passion for hip hop music started at the young age of six, and by the time she was 11 years old,[8] she had already begun her music career. Cleo's interest in the entertainment industry was evident from a very young age, as she used to perform at her own parties starting from her fourth birthday.

At Banani International School, where the principal had built a recording studio, Cleo had her first studio experience. At the age of 16, she recorded and released her first single "Hands Up."

Cleo's moniker "Ice Queen" originates from her love for jewellery, which is commonly referred to as "ice" in hip hop slang.[1] In addition to her musical and brand ambassador work, Cleo has been featured in various publications. She was the cover story for the March 2014 issue of the Nigerian magazine VL! Magazine.[9][10]

Engaging in humanitarian work, she served as a Global Citizen Ambassador, contributing to initiatives aimed at ending extreme poverty. Cleo is currently a Softcare ambassador, endorsing affordable and comfortable baby and women’s essentials. Her partnerships reflect her selfless commitment to assisting underprivileged individuals, guided by the motto, "To whom much is given, much is required." Cleo Ice Queen continues to break barriers in the entertainment industry, promising more success with each project. She is currently working on her third studio album.

Beyond her musical pursuits, she holds a certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Zambia (UNZA) and currently pursuing a Marketing Degree at the University of Lusaka (UNILUS).

Professional music[edit]

In 2011, Cleo started her music career, and the following year, she released a single titled "Big Dreams," featuring JK, which became a nationwide hit. She was also featured in the official remix of Khuli Chana's "Tswa Daar" song, which featured other popular African artists like Ice Prince, Maggz, Navio, AKA, and Reason. Cleo's debut album, "Geminice," was released in December 2016.[11][12] The album has 14 songs, and the theme is inspired by her Gemini star sign. One part of the album comprises seven sentimental and lyrical songs, while the other seven songs are fun-loving and upbeat, including party anthems like the Urban Hype-featured "Turn Up," "Addicted," and "Autobahn."

In December 2016, Cleo released another single titled "Soldier,[13][14]" produced by Kekero. On September 22, 2016, Cleo was the first Zambian artist to be selected for Season 2 of Coke Studio, a popular music television series in Africa. Together with Bucie and Mr Kamera, she created the song "Simunye" ("We are one"), which was a massive hit. The song celebrates African unity and oneness with a mix of Cleo's native tongue, Nyanja, and South African native tongue, Xhosa. It showcases how music has no language barriers.

Television[edit]

In 2013 Mulenga gained national recognition as a participant in the eighth season of the reality television[15] series Big Brother Africa, which was produced by Endemol for M-Net. The show, which began on 26 May 2013, ran for 91 days and concluded on 25 August 2013. Mulenga spent the entirety of the season in the Big Brother house and emerged as the runner-up to Dillish Mathews, who won the 2013 season.[12][4]

In 2015, Mulenga was chosen to host Bola Yapa Zed, a SuperSport football magazine show that exclusively focuses on Zambian football. The show is dedicated to bringing fans up-to-date information on all aspects of Zambian football, including news, interviews, and highlights.[12] As the presenter of Bola Yapa Zed, Mulenga has become a well-known figure in the Zambian sports community.

Coke Studio[edit]

On 22 September 2016, Cleo made history as the first Zambian artist to participate in Season 2 of Coke Studio,[16] a popular music television series in Africa that gives artists the opportunity to create new and innovative music. Cleo, also known as the "lady of rap," collaborated with Bucie, the "lady of house music," as well as super producer Mr Kamera, singer-songwriter Les-Ego, and master sound engineer Wilson. Together, they created the chart-topping hit, "Simunye" ("We are one"), which celebrates African royalty, unity, and oneness. The song features elements of Cleo's native Zambian language, Nyanja, as well as South African native tongue, Xhosa, and demonstrates the universality of music by transcending language barriers.

Introducing Coke Studio at a glittering preview event in Lusaka, Cleo said: "Making music is an amazing journey, and Coke Studio really shows the talent, effort and fun that artists put into their craft. I’m just so pleased that Zambian music fans can now have a chance to share that passion on QTV."[17]

— Cleo speaking in an interview.

African Hip-Hop Awards[edit]

On 21 May 2017 Cleo was a special guest at the official launch of the African Hip Hop Awards 1 July[18] at Chez Intemba in Lusaka.[19]

Personal life[edit]

Relationships[edit]

Cleo is married to Kaladoshas and the couple has three children.

Postgraduate Education[edit]

She is currently pursuing her Degree in Marketing at the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) and is an example to the youth of how education is still valuable in a “fast life, fast money” social media-oriented world.

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Result
2012 South African Hip Hop Awards Best Female Nominated
2013 Born & Bred Awards Best Female Up coming Nominated
2014 Zambian Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated
2015 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Southern Africa Won[20]
2016 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Southern Africa Nominated
2016 Zambian Music Awards Best Female Nominated
2017 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Southern Africa Nominated
2017 Zambia Kwacha Music Awards Best Female Artist Won[21]
2019 Zambia Kwacha Music Awards Best Female Won
2021 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female Southern Africa Won
2023 African Entertainment Award USA Best Female Africa Won

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Ice Queen Artist Profiles". Coke Studio. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  2. ^ "UP CLOSE WITH CLEO THE ICE QUEEN". Times of Zambia. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  3. ^ "UPDATE: Upcoming female rapper Ice Queen". Lusak Times. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Cleo Ice Queen Shows Off Her Adorable Daughter". BBA Fan Club. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen". Def Jam Africa. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  6. ^ Jere, Joshua (22 November 2021). "CLEO WINS AN AFRIMA AWARD". ZNBC News.
  7. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen Delivers a Bouncing Baby Girl". Zedhypemag.com. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen". Hip Hop African. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Cleo Stuns on the Cover of VL! Magazine March Issue". Afrika Daily. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  10. ^ "VL! Magazine Exclusive Interview With Big Brother Finalist Cleo". Jaguda. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen releases "Geminice" Track-list". Lusaka Times. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  12. ^ a b c "Album Review : Cleo Ice Queen -Geminice". Lusaka Times. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  13. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen – "Soldier" (Prod. Kekero)". Zambian Music Blog. 2 December 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Behind the Scenes of Cleo Ice Queen's new video "Soldier"". Lusaka Times. December 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Sheer Publishing rapping sensation joins Big Brother Cast". Cleo Ice Queen Blogspot. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen shooting for Coke Studio season 2". Lusaka Times. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  17. ^ "STARS ROCK TO COKE STUDIO BEAT". Lusaka Times. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  18. ^ "African Hip Hop Awards To Be Launched in Lusaka". Palesa Mokoena. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen to host the official launch of the African Hip Hop Awards". Lusaka Times. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Cleo Ice Queen 'Turns Up'". Lusaka Voice. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  21. ^ "2017 Kwacha Music Awards Complete Winners List". Zambian Music Blog. October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
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