Libianca

{{Infobox person

| name = Libianca

| image = Libianca_WHTA_interview_2023_2.png

| caption = Libianca in 2023

| birth_name = Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|7|23}}

| birth_place = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.{{Cite magazine |last=Conteh |first=Mankaprr |date=January 20, 2023 |title=Libianca Is the Afro Soul Siren Who Can Do Everything |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/libianca-interview-new-single-people-1234664675/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

| citizenship = {{hlist|Cameroon|United States}}

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| background = solo_singer

| origin = Bamenda, Cameroon

| genre = {{hlist|Afrobeats|R&B|afro-soul}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}

| years_active = 2019–present

| label = {{hlist|West Side Creative|5K|RCA}}

}}

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji (born July 23, 2000), known mononymously as Libianca, is a Cameroonian-American singer. She is best known for her breakout single "People" (2022). She previously competed in the 21st season of American TV show The Voice in 2021.

Early life

Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji was born on July 23, 2000 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.{{Cite web |last=Ihejirika |first=Uzoma |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Best New Music: Libianca's "People (Check On Me)" Gets Real About Mental Health |url=https://thenativemag.com/best-new-music-libianca/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Edu |first=DJ |date=2023-03-04 |title=Africa Live this week: 27 February-5 March 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-64393326?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=64022a6e86b6c015d31e7976%26Libianca%20-%20the%2022-year-old%20Cameroonian%20who%20won%20over%20America%262023-03-03T17%3A37%3A11.253Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:1f2aaeee-b638-4f60-af14-b3a144f069d2&pinned_post_asset_id=64022a6e86b6c015d31e7976&pinned_post_type=share |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}} In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Libianca recalled that when she was four years old, her family experienced issues with immigration. Her mother decided to have the family relocate to Bamenda, Cameroon, before they could be deported.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-11 |title=Libianca: Di true story behind di star of 'more alcohol' song, People |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cv2vgxgdng2o |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=BBC News Pidgin |language=wes}} In her upbringing in Bamenda, Libianca sung in gospel choirs and attended a boarding school, where she learned how to play the guitar.{{Cite news |last=Buchan |first=Kit |date=2023-07-29 |title=One to watch: Libianca |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/29/one-to-watch-libianca-cameroon |access-date=2023-08-03 |issn=0261-3077}}

= 2021–present: ''The Voice'' and "People" =

In 2021, Libianca competed on the twenty-first season of NBC's The Voice, where Blake Shelton was her coach.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Cydney |title='The Voice': Blake Shelton 'heartbroken' after eliminating his own 'God's Country' singer |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2021/10/25/the-voice-blake-shelton-axes-gods-country-singer-heartbroken/8542103002/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Donnellan |first=Sara |date=October 7, 2021 |title=WATCH: 'The Voice' Contestant Picks Coach Based on a Sign from God |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/the-voice/libianca-audition-team-blake-shelton/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Heavy.com |language=en-US}} She made her way to the top 20 before being eliminated.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Neal Justin Star |title=Minnesota contestant Libianca eliminated from 'The Voice' |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-contestant-libianca-eliminated-from-the-voice/600114669/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=Star Tribune|date=November 10, 2021 }} Her covers of "Everything I Wanted" and "Woman" on the show were later released as singles via West Side Creative Agency.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;" \| Performances on The Voice season 21
Round !Theme ! Song ! Original Artist ! Order ! Original Air Date ! Result
Blind Auditions \| rowspan="4" {{n/a}} \| "Good Days" \| SZA \| 5.8 \| October 4, 2021 \| Ariana and Blake turned; Joined Team Blake
Battles (Top 48) \| "Save Your Tears" {{Small\|(vs. Tommy Edwards)}} \| The Weeknd \| 8.2 \| October 12, 2021 \| rowspan="2" \| Saved by coach
Knockouts (Top 32) \| "Everything I Wanted" \| Billie Eilish \| 11.5 \| October 25, 2021
Live Playoffs (Top 20) \| "Woman" \| Doja Cat \| 15.17 \| November 8, 2021 \| Eliminated

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:90%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;"

colspan="7" style="background:#BFBFBF;" | Performances on The Voice season 21

Round

!Theme

! Song

! Original Artist

! Order

! Original Air Date

! Result

Blind Auditions

| rowspan="4" {{n/a}}

| "Good Days"

| SZA

| 5.8

| October 4, 2021

| Ariana and Blake turned; Joined Team Blake

Battles (Top 48)

| "Save Your Tears" {{Small|(vs. Tommy Edwards)}}

| The Weeknd

| 8.2

| October 12, 2021

| rowspan="2" | Saved by coach

Knockouts (Top 32)

| "Everything I Wanted"

| Billie Eilish

| 11.5

| October 25, 2021

Live Playoffs (Top 20)

| "Woman"

| Doja Cat

| 15.17

| November 8, 2021

| Eliminated

Libianca signed to 5K Records and Sony in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Rising Star Libianca Shares Visuals To Hit 'People' – OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/cameroon-libianca-people-video/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}} In December of that year, she released "People", a song inspired by her cyclothymia. The song debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Afrobeats chart, at No. 1 in UK Afrobeats chart, peaked at No. 2 in UK Official chart, and received wide attention across social media.{{Cite magazine |last1=Rys |first1=Heran Mamo,Dan |last2=Mamo |first2=Heran |last3=Rys |first3=Dan |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Month: Burna Boy, Libianca, Aya Nakamura & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/best-new-afrobeats-songs-burna-boy-libianca-aya-nakamura-fresh-picks-1235203930/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-26}}

Libianca performed as an opening at Alicia Keys' 2023 Keys to the Summer Tour.{{Cite web |last=Portugal |first=Andrew |date=2023-05-13 |title='The Voice' Alum Libianca Set to Perform Alongside Alicia Keys on the Keys to the Summer Tour |url=https://talentrecap.com/the-voice-alum-libianca-set-to-perform-alongside-alicia-keys-on-the-keys-to-the-summer-tour/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Talent Recap |language=en-US}}

In April 2024, Libianca announced that she was postponing her North American tour following death threats for performing with a Cameroonian flag issued by separatists fighting in the Anglophone Crisis. The separatists consider the Cameroonian flag brandished by the singer as a sign of support for President Paul Biya, one of Africa's longest-serving leaders and dictators.{{Cite web |last=Wedaeli |first=Chibelushi |title=Libianca on 'horrific threats' over Cameroon's Anglophone war |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8vz35911r9o |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=BBC News |date=May 19, 2024 |language=en-GB}}

Artistry

Libianca takes influence from genres prevalent in her upbringing, such as Cameroonian music, Nigerian music, and highlife. She describes her music as an "intersection of R&B, Afrobeats, [and] soul". Her songwriting has been praised by publications such as Complex UK for its honesty.{{Cite web |last=Aklilu |first=Rahel |title=Libianca Takes The World! |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/rahel-aklilu/libianca-people-interview |access-date=2023-08-04 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Better source needed|date=March 2024}}

Discography

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" \|+ List of EPs, with selected details ! scope="col"\| Title ! scope="col"\| Details
scope="row" \| Walk Away \| Released: December 8, 2023 Format: Digital Label: 5K Records, Sony

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+ List of EPs, with selected details

! scope="col"| Title

! scope="col"| Details

scope="row" | Walk Away

Released: December 8, 2023
Format: Digital
Label: 5K Records, Sony

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+List of singles and selected peak chart positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Title !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Year !scope="col" colspan="10"\|Peak chart positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Certifications
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| AUS {{cite web\|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2023-05-15\|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|date=May 15, 2023\|access-date=May 12, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| CAN {{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2023-05-20/\|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 20, 2023\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=May 16, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| FRA {{cite web\|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=26&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles\|title=Top Singles (Week 26, 2023)\|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique\|language=fr\|access-date=July 3, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| NLD {{cite web\|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Libianca&titel=People&cat=s\|title=Libianca – People\|website=dutchcharts.nl\|language=nl\|access-date=July 1, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| NZ {{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2023-05-12\|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=May 15, 2023\|access-date=May 13, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| SWE {{cite web\|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=4\|title=Veckolista Singlar, vecka 4\|publisher=Sverigetopplistan\|access-date=January 28, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| SWI ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| UK {{cite web\|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/63953/libianca/\|title=Libianca {{!}} full Official Chart History\|publisher=Official Charts Company\|access-date=April 14, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| US {{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-06-24/\|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 24, 2023\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=June 21, 2023}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| WW {{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2023-05-27/\|title=Billboard Global 200: Week of May 27, 2023\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=May 23, 2023}}
scope="row"\| "Level" \|2019 \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|
scope="row"\| "My Place" \|rowspan="2"\|2020 \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|
scope="row"\| "Revenge" \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|
scope="row"\| "Thank You" \| rowspan="2" \|2021 \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|
scope="row"\| "Special Lovin'" \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|
scope="row" \|"People" \|2022 \| 22 \|\| 39 \|\| 19 \|\| 1 \|\| 2 \|\| 16 \|\| 9 \|\| 2 \|\| 80 \|\| 20 \| ARIA: Platinum{{cite certification\|region=Australia\|type=single\|certyear=2023\|access-date=July 9, 2023}} BPI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification\|region=United Kingdom\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=May 24, 2025}} IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification\|region=Switzerland\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=September 30, 2023}} MC: Platinum{{cite certification\|region=Canada\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=May 12, 2023}} NVPI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification\|region=Netherlands\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=December 8, 2023}} RIAA: Platinum{{cite certification\|region=United States\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=May 31, 2023}} RMNZ: 3× Platinum{{cite certification\|region=New Zealand\|type=single\|artist=Libianca\|source=radioscope\|access-date=May 24, 2025}} SNEP: Diamond{{cite certification\|region=France\|artist=Libianca\|access-date=May 7, 2024}}
scope="row"\| "Jah"{{cite web\|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr9TLM6gRau/\|title=JAH DROPS THIS MONTH 🤪🤪🤪🤪I've been itching to drop 😂I'm trying out new things with the song while waiting😁\|via=Instagram\|access-date=June 5, 2023}} \| 2023 \| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|\| — \|

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+List of singles and selected peak chart positions

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Title

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year

!scope="col" colspan="10"|Peak chart positions

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Certifications

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| AUS
{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/singles-chart/2023-05-15|title=ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=May 15, 2023|access-date=May 12, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| CAN
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2023-05-20/|title=Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of May 20, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 16, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| FRA
{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/?semaine=26&annee=2023&categorie=Top%20Singles|title=Top Singles (Week 26, 2023)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=July 3, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| NLD
{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Libianca&titel=People&cat=s|title=Libianca – People|website=dutchcharts.nl|language=nl|access-date=July 1, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| NZ
{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2023-05-12|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=May 15, 2023|access-date=May 13, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWE
{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/41?dspy=2023&dspp=4|title=Veckolista Singlar, vecka 4|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|access-date=January 28, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| SWI

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| UK
{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/63953/libianca/|title=Libianca {{!}} full Official Chart History|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=April 14, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| US
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2023-06-24/|title=Billboard Hot 100: Week of June 24, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=June 21, 2023}}

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| WW
{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-global-200/2023-05-27/|title=Billboard Global 200: Week of May 27, 2023|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 23, 2023}}

scope="row"| "Level"

|2019

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

scope="row"| "My Place"

|rowspan="2"|2020

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

scope="row"| "Revenge"

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

scope="row"| "Thank You"

| rowspan="2" |2021

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

scope="row"| "Special Lovin'"

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

scope="row" |"People"

|2022

| 22 || 39 || 19 || 1 || 2 || 16 || 9 || 2 || 80 || 20

ARIA: Platinum{{cite certification|region=Australia|type=single|certyear=2023|access-date=July 9, 2023}}
BPI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Libianca|access-date=May 24, 2025}}
IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification|region=Switzerland|artist=Libianca|access-date=September 30, 2023}}
MC: Platinum{{cite certification|region=Canada|artist=Libianca|access-date=May 12, 2023}}
NVPI: 2× Platinum{{cite certification|region=Netherlands|artist=Libianca|access-date=December 8, 2023}}
RIAA: Platinum{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Libianca|access-date=May 31, 2023}}
RMNZ: 3× Platinum{{cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Libianca|source=radioscope|access-date=May 24, 2025}}
SNEP: Diamond{{cite certification|region=France|artist=Libianca|access-date=May 7, 2024}}

scope="row"| "Jah"{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cr9TLM6gRau/|title=JAH DROPS THIS MONTH 🤪🤪🤪🤪I've been itching to drop 😂I'm trying out new things with the song while waiting😁|via=Instagram|access-date=June 5, 2023}}

| 2023

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

=Other charted songs=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" \|+List of other charted songs and selected peak chart positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Title !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Year !scope="col" colspan="1"\|Peak chart positions !scope="col" rowspan="2"\|Album
scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"\| NZ Hot {{cite web\|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2024-01-05\|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart\|publisher=Recorded Music NZ\|date=January 8, 2024\|access-date=January 5, 2024}}
scope="row"\| "Mistaken" {{small\|(with Oxlade and Chlöe)}} \| 2024 \| 16 \| Walk Away

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+List of other charted songs and selected peak chart positions

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Title

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year

!scope="col" colspan="1"|Peak chart positions

!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| NZ
Hot
{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2024-01-05|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=January 8, 2024|access-date=January 5, 2024}}

scope="row"| "Mistaken"
{{small|(with Oxlade and Chlöe)}}

| 2024

| 16

| Walk Away

Awards

= Africa Entertainment Awards USA =

! {{abbr|Ref.|References}}

|rowspan=3|2023

|rowspan=2|Herself

|Best Francophone Female Artist/Group

|{{nom}}

|rowspan=3|{{cite web|title=Africa Entertainment Awards USA 2023: All the nominees {{!}} Music In Africa|work=Music In Africa|first=Gabriel Meyers|date=2023-09-15|accessdate =2023-09-15|last=Hansen|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/africa-entertainment-awards-usa-2023-all-nominees}}

|Best Female Artist

|{{nom}}

|"People"

|Song of the Year

|{{nom}}

=The Future Awards Africa=

! {{abbr|Ref.|References}}

|rowspan="1" |2023

|Herself

|Prize for Music

|{{nom}}

|{{cite web |title=FULL LIST: Asake, Tobi Amusan, Osimhen nominated for TFAA 2023 |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/full-list-asake-tobi-amusan-osimhen-nominated-for-tfaa-2023/ |website=TheCable Lifestyle |access-date=27 September 2023 |date=26 September 2023}}

= MTV Video Music Awards =

! {{abbr|Ref.|References}}

|rowspan="1" |2023

| People

| Best Afrobeats

| {{Nominated}}

| {{Cite web |last=MTV |title=Vote Now – Nominees for 2023 MTV Video Music Awards |url=https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=www.mtv.com |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127202927/https://www.mtv.com/vma/vote/ |url-status=live }}

References

Category:2000 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Cameroonian women singers

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:American people of Cameroonian descent

Category:People with bipolar disorder

Category:The Voice (franchise) contestants

Category:Afrobeats musicians