Kwayedza Kureya, mononymously known by his stage name Kwaye, is a British-Zimbabwean singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He has released two EPs and his songs have been featured in Netflix's ''Topboy'' and ''On My Block''. He played Jacob in the

Julian Fellowes Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes, Baron Fellowes of West Stafford, (born 17 August 1949) is an English actor, novelist, film director and screenwriter, and a Conservative peer of the House of Lords. He is primarily known as the author of s ...

2009 movie, '' From Time to Time''.

Early life and singing career

Kwaye was born to a social worker mother and a doctor father. He lived in Zimbabwe until he was three. His family then moved to London, later settling in Kent. Kureya began performing at an early age and grew up playing the viola, sax, and guitar. He later moved to Brighton to pursue a degree in American Studies. While on a study abroad program in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, Kureya played a demo of one of his recently recorded songs for an Uber driver who was a former A&R executive. Within a few weeks, Kureya had signed a deal to release his music. His debut single, entitled "Cool Kids", was released in March 2017, under the stage name "Kwaye". In May 2017, Kwaye announced the release of his second single entitled "Little Ones", released on 30 May 2017; and in July 2017, he announced the upcoming release of his debut

extended play An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record.

, entitled ''Solar'', and also announced a third single release would be titled "Sweetest Life". Both songs debuted on 25 July 2017. After a break from music, Kwaye released three singles, "Run", "Runaway" and "Kindness" in 2021. Kureya has three older sisters, one of whom is

Shingai Shoniwa Shingai Elizabeth Maria Shoniwa ( ; born 1 September 1981), known professionally as Shingai is a Zimbabwean-British singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the vocalist and bassist for the English indie rock band Noisettes. In 2017, she ...

, lead singer of the indie rock band

Noisettes Noisettes are an English indie rock band from London, currently composed of singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa and guitarist Dan Smith. The band first achieved commercial success and nationwide recognition with the second single of their se ...

Discography

EPs

Singles

As lead artist

* "Cool Kids" (2017) * "Little Ones" (2017) * "Sweetest Life" (2017) * "Lost in My Boots" (2017) * "Jasmine" (2017) * "I Go" (2018) * "What Have You Done" (2018) * "Paralyzed" (2018) * "Keep On Loving You" (2018) * “Kindness” (2021) * "Pendulum" (2023)

As featured artist

* "Steady Motion" (2019)

Songwriting Credits

indicates a background vocal contribution.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kureya, Kwayedza Living people 21st-century Zimbabwean male singers Year of birth missing (living people) Zimbabwean emigrants to the United Kingdom