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About the author

A. Zoya

Awonke Zoya is a multi-talented South African artist from the Eastern Cape who is celebrated for her contributions to music, dance, and visual arts. Born and raised in a small town, Awonke's early life was defined by her passion for dancing, which garnered recognition within her family and community. Despite her shyness, she began drawing and sketching in the second grade, drawing inspiration from her creative family members.

 

After her mother left in 2006, Awonke was raised in a Christian household by her grandparents. In 2007, she moved from Lady Frere to Queenstown. Her uncle's skills as a sketch artist and DJ, along with her aunt's diverse talents as a sound engineer, sketch artist, vocalist, rapper, and writer, greatly influenced her artistic development. She credits them for her artistic inclinations, apart from her dancing talent.

 

Awonke penned her first poem, "Forgotten," and her inaugural rap, "22," in 2015 upon returning from Cape Town. Her musical journey commenced with the song "Tears of a Broken Heart," produced by Lucas. In 2021, Awonke wrote, recorded, and mastered her debut project, "The Truth Skips Naked EP," which she uploaded to Audiomack.com. She initially performed under the stage name Raven A Zoya before changing it to Aeza in 2022. During this period, Awonke also continued creating dance videos and performing at various clubs, gaining further recognition through a radio interview on Vukani FM in Queenstown.

 

In 2023, Awonke joined Amaka Studio and launched her channel, showcasing her dancing, drawings, poetry, and songs. Her dedication and talent earned her the titles of Creator of the Month in March and Creator of the Year in December 2023. Awonke Zoya continues to explore and share her diverse artistic expressions, captivating audiences with her heartfelt creativity.