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Kwanza Jones established her dance-pop credentials in 2011 with her Billboard charting hit, "Think Again," (which spent 4 months on the Dance/ Club Play charts). 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.
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 new songs, Kwanza says, "it's music for superheros and divas (or those who want to be)."
Kwanza is an outspoken supporter of equality and empowerment causes.
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