Let’s face it, models are rarely taken seriously. They are usually considered pretty faces with nothing more to offer.
It’s almost acceptable that at corporate functions their only role is to remain mute and flash their smiles at everyone.
In music videos they do as they are told and if they are not simply walking around looking good, they are shaking what their mamas gave them.
In most cases, models are hired flesh who help to portray a certain look. They make even the most mundane things seem appealing, tricking you into thinking that you you need to be part of the crowd.
Yet there are models who have fought these stereotypes over the years, entrepreneurs like Tyra Banks, who used her modelling career to jump start her career in media.
Queen Vee is another case where a model went beyond the ramp. Crowned Miss Zimbabwe in 2009, Queen Vee had already seen the inside of a studio – and she liked it.
“In my reign as Miss Harare I had to do a jingle as part of the requirements and I made something that was so good I ended up using it wherever I modelled. I performed it at the Miss World pageant and I was placed in the Top 10 out of 112 contestants,” she proudly explained.
After crowning another beautiful girl in 2010, Queen Vee met with multiple award-winner Buffalo Souljah who took an interest in her music. The dancehall star signed her to his United Nations of Africa label and the pair have been releasing work ever since.
“I have worked with several artists as we compile the music to my upcoming album. I have just released a song with rappers L-Tido and AB Crazy who were so much fun to work with,” she said.
The song in question, Agenda, is an up-tempo jam which displays the songstress’ impressive vocal range. She will remind you of singers like Shontelle and Ciara, thanks to the R&B sound that is fused with hip hop influences.
“I have so much love for R&B, but I am also interested in other genres so my album has a wide range of styles,” she said.
This is proven by her aforementioned collaborations, which also include Buffalo Souljah, who is basically into a Jamaican sound, and Ziyon who is one of house music’s local deities.
As she puts the final touches to her album, Queen Vee promises a number of performances leading to the release of the CD.
“We have a plan put in place where we would like to get to the fans and have them know what we are up to and what to expect from the project through live gigs,” she said.
The few songs that have already been played off the upcoming album are rather impressive, but it still remains to be seen just how well Queen Vee will do on the local R&B scene.