Faith Terryson, who is known professionally as Faithvonic, is a Liberian singer and songwriter from Grand Bassa County. She is also a fashion designer, graphic designer, content creator, and video director. Faithvonic derived her stage name from her first name and mother's name, and started writing and recording music in 2012. She signed a record deal with Kimmie Weeks' KLW Entertainment in 2014, but left the label in 2016 after her contract expired. On February 14, 2021, she released her debut extended play, Rich with You, to coincide with Valentine's Day. She has released music to raise awareness about Ebola and COVID-19, and has partnered with ActionAid Liberia on several humanitarian projects. Faithvonic's music is a mixture of Afropop and hipco.
Faithvonic | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Faith Terryson |
Born | Liberia |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 2012–present |
Website | Official website |
Life and career
edit1995–2008: Early life and education
editFaithvonic is a member of the Bassa tribe.[1][2] She has four siblings and was raised by a single mother; her father died when she was two years old.[2] She was physically and mentally abused by her stepfather while growing up.[3] She started singing at the age of 10, and used music as a coping mechanism to deal with her childhood trauma.[3] In 2008, she moved to the Philippines to study at Southville International School and Colleges.[2] She also studied information technology and graphic design at Starz College of Science and Technology in Liberia.[2]
2012–present: Career beginnings, singles and Rich with You
editIn 2012, Faithvonic started writing and recording her own music.[3] She derived her stage name from her first name and mother's name Yvonne.[3] In 2014, Faithvonic signed a record deal with KLW Entertainment, a record label owned by Kimmie Weeks.[2] That same year, she and other artists formed the music collective LATA, an acronym for Liberia Artists Together for Advancement.[3][4] The group recorded "The Hope Song", a track that raises awareness about Liberia's Ebola virus epidemic; the song was created in partnership with ActionAid Liberia.[3] In 2016, Faithvonic signed a new record deal with Nebo Records after her contract with KLW Entertainment expired.[2] Her debut single under Nebo Records, titled "Come For Me", was released in April 2017.[2] In August 2020, she partnered with ActionAid Liberia to release the COVID-19 awareness song "Africa Fight".[4]
In January 2021, Faithvonic collaborated with DJ Weezy, Natif, Fullest 4, and Young Classic to release "Bassa First Bassa Last", the official County Meet song for Grand Bassa County.[5] She lent vocals to Angel Dweh's Afropop single "Come Over", which was released on January 15, 2021.[6][7] On February 14, 2021, Faithvonic released her debut extended play, Rich with You, to coincide with Valentine's Day.[1] The EP has six tracks and features guest appearances from Stunna, T Crack, and Kpanto.[1] It was initially intended to be released as an album but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her team decided to release it as an EP.[8] Produced by Mr. Valuable and Stunnashine, all of the songs on Rich with You are personal and depict real life events.[8] Faithvonic dedicated the EP's title track "Rich with You" to her fans and partner.[1]
In October 2022, Faithvonic released the single "Badway"; described as "an up-tempo, fast-paced ode to love", the song features vocals by Takun J and PCK.[9] Faithvonic dedicated the song to lovers and newlyweds and said listeners would easily relate to it.[9] She is a brand ambassador for several brands, including Glow Liberia, GC Luxury Beauty, and Zara Mall.[10]
Humanitarian work
editFaithvonic partnered with ActionAid Liberia to hold a public dialogue at Red Light Market, where she spoke to men about violence against women.[11] She has also been involved with ActionAid Liberia's Safe Cities campaign and Activista youth network.[3] Moreover, she is a Girls Rights ambassador for the NGO, and has helped empower young girls across Liberia to advocate for their rights.[3] Faithvonic founded the "Speak Out Loud" foundation, an initiative that provides education for street sellers and underprivileged girls.[2]
Artistry and influences
editFaithvonic's music is a mixture of Afropop and hipco. In an interview with Euronews, she said she makes music to uplift people and that creating music helps her cope with personal trauma.[11] The organization ActionAid stated that her music "amplify voices of young and often marginalized people" and "acts as a medium for creativity and innovation whilst raising awareness to change social behaviour".[4] Faithvonic has cited Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Shakira, and Ciara as her key influences.[2]
Discography
editEPs
edit- Rich with You (2021)
Awards and nominations
editYear | Recipient | Award | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Herself | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | [12] |
2017 | [13] | |||
2018 | [14] | |||
2019 | [15] | |||
2020 | [16] | |||
2021 | [17] | |||
Year | Recipient | Award | Result | Ref |
2018 | Herself | Female Artist of the Year | Nominated | [18] |
2019 | [19] | |||
2020 | Best Female Artist | Won | [20] | |
2021 | Nominated | [21] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Edwin Elic-Jaleiba (March 26, 2021). "Here's Everything you Need to know about Liberian Star 'Faithvonic of Africa'". Bellanaija. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Faithvonic debuts with a brand new single titled "Come For Me"". Liberian Stars View. April 10, 2017. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Juan Sanchez Gil (23 August 2021). "Liberian FaithVonic artist fights pandemic through musical education". The European Times. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ a b c "Liberia's Musicians and Artists unite to fight Covid-19". ActionAid. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Grand Bassa All Stars – Bassa FIrst Bassa Last – [Prod. Dj Philly]". Plus Liberia. January 9, 2021. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Feel the Groove With Angel Dweh's Latest Single, "Come Over (feat. Faithvonic)"". Buzz Music. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Come Over (feat. Faithvonic) - Single by Angel Dweh". Apple Music. January 15, 2021. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b Hope Kaizolu (February 9, 2021). "News & Trends: Faithvonic "Rich With You" EP Out Soon". Plus Liberia. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b Lomax, Selma (October 13, 2022). "Faithvonic Teaming With Hipco Icon Takun J, PCK for Club Banger, Badway". Front Page Africa. Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Dodoo, Lennart (August 23, 2021). "Liberia: The Spirituality of Faithvonic's Art and elevation as a Marketing and Branding Phenomenon". Front Page Africa. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ a b Puck Wagemaker (July 10, 2021). "Liberia's FaithVonic: on making music to overcome tragedy and diving into humanitarian aid". Euronews. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Liberia Music Awards Foundation Announces the nominees for the 2015 Liberia Music Awards". Constant Contact. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Official Nominees list - Atlanta 2017". Constant Contact. November 19, 2017. Archived from the original on 10 March 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "Liberia Music Awards (LMA) 2018 Nominees". Plus Liberia. November 6, 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Bolaji Alonge (19 November 2019). "Liberia Music Awards 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Gabriel Myers Hansen (16 November 2020). "MTN Liberia Music Awards 2020: All the winners". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Gabriel Myers Hansen (27 September 2021). "MTN Liberia Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "LMA 2018 Nominations Confirmed. See Full List!!!". Tunes Liberia. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "TunesLiberia Music Awards 2019 Full Nominations". Tunes Liberia. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ Bolaji Alonge (25 February 2020). "TunesLiberia Music Awards 2020: All the winners". Music in Africa. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ "TunesLiberia Music Award 2021 Official Nominees". Tunes Liberia. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.