South African based Zimbabwean pop singer, Vanessa Sibanda popularly known as Queen Vee has been nominated for the Best Female Artist – Africa (non-Nigerian) at this year’s Nigerian Entertainment Awards to be held in New York on September 3, 2017.

The thrilled songbird spoke to Zimbo Jam and could not hide her joy saying,” I’m thrilled to be nominated amongst the best in the continent. It means that everything I pray for on a daily basis, the dreams I have are slowly taking shape. This is good exposure for my brand and Zimbabwe.”

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The awards were established in New York City in January 2006 to serve the growing African population in America. It recognizes the contributions of African entertainers to the entertainment industry.

Sibanda is nominated together with South Africa’s Amanda Black, Becca of Ghana, Sheeban Karungi of Uganda, Victoria Kimani of Kenya, Rwandese Butela Knowles, Efya of Ghana, Vanessa Mdee of Tanzania.

Queen Vee is optimistic to win the award but believes the mere nomination amongst Africa’s finest is a great endorsement for her music. She attributes her nomination to the hard work, time and resources they have been putting for a while to make Queen Vee brand recognizable in the African music industry.

“Over the years I have learnt that if I am going to stay in the music business I need to develop thick skin because not everyone is going to appreciate you and your products. I’m grateful to my fans from home Zimbabwe and different parts of the African continent that I have gotten along the way that always encourage me to keep pushing because they love my sound and all I have to offer in the music industry,” she added.

Her manager Dj Phat Beatz also added that her last single ‘Nobody’ did extremely well on radio, in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, topping radio charts and other African countries and abroad as well as iTunes Charts.

The video also received some good rotation on music channels such as Soundcity, Trace, MTV base Africa, and Channel O, which brought in the much-needed exposure to penetrate the African market.

Apart from music the singer is also into business and runs a successful fashion venture, Queen Vee Courture.