Zambia: Cleo Ice Queen releases Leaders of the New School album

The project is the artist’s first release under Def Jam Africa. It is available for streaming and download on all major digital platforms. The 10-track collection features talents from the local hip hop scene including The F.A.K.E, Ryan Blaze, Princess Natasha Chansa, Towela Kaira and Oreo.

The album leads off with ‘So Cold’, which addresses the social ills and pressures that affect young people. ‘Mix It Up’, featuring Ryan Blaze, showcases Cleo Ice Queen’s game in spitting powerful rhymes.

“‘On My Own’ was also birthed when two great queens came together while jamming in studio. Towela Kaira brought her A game on this track and the visuals are quite complementary to the track,” Cleo Ice Queen’s team said.

The single has already accumulated more than 100 000 streams on Boomplay making it the first-ever track in her catalogue to achieve this. Its YouTube video is on almost 100 000 views within a week of release, also a first for the artist.

Cleo Ice Queen, born Clementina Mulenga, began her music career in 2011. She was featured on Khuli Chana’s ‘Tswa Daar’ alongside Ice Prince, Maggz, Navio, AKA and Reason. Her debut album Geminice was released in 2016. Best known for her role on Big Brother Africa in 2013, she is the winner of the Best Female in Southern Africa Award at the 2015 African Muzik Magazine Awards.