{{Short description|Tanzanian singer and songwriter from Zanzibar}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Zuchu | image = | caption = Zuchu in 1993 | birth_name = Zuhura Othman Soud<ref name="Wasafi_bio">{{cite web |last1=Soud |first1=Zuhura Shunda |title=Zuchu |url=https://www.wcbwasafi.com/artist/zuchu |website=wcbwasafi.com |publisher=WCB Wasafi |access-date=18 June 2022 |location=Dar es Salaam |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510042455/https://www.wcbwasafi.com/artist/zuchu |url-status=dead }}</ref> | alias = Zuchu | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1993|11|22}} | birth_place = Zanzibar, Tanzania | genre = Bongo flava, Baibuda | occupation = Singer-songwriter, dancer, actress | instrument = Vocals | spouse = {{marriage|Diamond Platnumz|2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/entertainment/zuchu-confirms-marriage-to-diamond-platnumz-5068664|title=Zuchu confirms marriage to Diamond Platnumz|date=5 June 2025|access-date=5 June 2025|website=The Citizen}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mbu.ug/2025/06/02/nikkah-ceremony-diamond-platnumz-zuchu |title=Zuchu and Diamond Platnumz tie the knot in intimate Nikkah ceremony|date=2 June 2025|access-date=2 June 2025|website=Mbu.ug}}</ref> | years_active = 2020–present | label = WCB Wasafi }}
'''Zuhura Othman Soud''', better known by her stage name '''Zuchu''' (born 22 November 1993), is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter, in Zanzibar. She is currently based in Dar es Salaam and is signed to the WCB Wasafi record label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/news/entertainment/Zuchu-is-the-new-face-on-Diamond-s-record-label-WCB/1840560-5519064-8da1n4z/index.html|title=Zuchu is the new face on Diamond's record label WCB |newspaper=The Citizen |access-date=4 June 2020}}</ref>
== Early life == Zuchu hails from a prominent musical family in Zanzibar, Tanzania, known for their contributions to Swahili music. Her mother is renowned taarab musician Khadija Kopa. Her father, Othman Soud, was a songwriter for Khadija Kopa and the celebrated TOT Band during its peak. He later became a police officer.
Through her mother, Zuchu met Diamond Platnumz, the founder of the Wasafi label, leading to an audition with him. During this audition, she performed two songs, including a rendition of "Wana" which subsequently became her debut single. Her performance earned her a place in WCB Wasafi.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-01 |title=Read 8 Facts You Should Know About Zuchu {{!}} Notjustok East Africa |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/news/8-surprising-facts-you-should-know-about-zuchu-see-details/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == Zuchu started singing at a young age and later collaborated with her mother Khadija Kopa on a song titled "Mauzauza" from her debut EP ''I am Zuchu''. Her first appearances as a musician to the public date back to 2015. She performed amongst others in the first edition of TECNO OWN THE STAGE in Lagos, Nigeria,<ref>{{Citation|title=EP4 Zouchu Performance|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdgDqFJUdY|language=en|access-date=2021-03-14}}</ref> at which she auditioned together with Tanzanian singer, Nandy.
In 2022, Zuchu became the most subscribed female artist in Sub Saharan Africa on Youtube.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2022-10-25 |title=Zuchu the most Youtube subscribed female artist in Sub-Saharan Africa — citiMuzik |url=https://www.citimuzik.com/2022/10/zuchu-the-most-youtube-subscribed-female-artist-in-sub-saharan-africa.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> A few months later she became the first female artist in East Africa to reach 100 million streams on Boomplay.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Diamond, Zuchu, Harmonize and Nandy emerge top artists in Boomplay Recap 2022 |language=en |work=The Citizen |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/entertainment/diamond-zuchu-harmonize-and-nandy-emerge-top-artists-in-boomplay-recap-2022-4058478 |access-date=2023-02-21}}</ref>
In 2022, Zuchu became the first female artist in East Africa to earn a nomination at the MTV EMAs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tanzanian singer Zuchu nominated for 2022 MTV Awards {{!}} The East African |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/zuchu-nominated-2022-mtv-ema-awards-3983704?view=htmlamp |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.theeastafrican.co.ke}}</ref>
Zuchu started 2023 with a new single titled "Utaniua." It was critically acclaimed, and Tanzanian music journalist Charles Maganga appreciated it as an intimate song where Zuchu pays homage to Bongo Flava and Baibuda.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=Zuchu Drops A Brand New Song Titled "Utaniua" {{!}} Notjustok |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/music/utaniua-zuchu/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2023, Zuchu released her first official music video for the year 2023 for a new single titled "Napambana".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=Zuchu - Napambana (Official Music Video) |url=https://www.nyimbompya.com/zuchu-napambana-official-music-video-17407.html |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Nyimbo Mpya |language=en-US |archive-date=6 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306155719/https://www.nyimbompya.com/zuchu-napambana-official-music-video-17407.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In June 2023, Zuchu announced that she had surpassed 500 million views on Youtube, making her the first female artist in East Africa and the fifth female artist in Africa to achieve this milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=@officialzuchu surpassed 500M total views on youtube, She is the 1st Female Artist To Surpass This Milestone In East Africa & 5th in All Africa. |url=https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100065022041900%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02x8JUPX28YGU1gRvwMM6TkJMEs6gY1vTHqdQ9ynjvQwSFjMUox547fXgYo8oaokvzl%2F%3Fapp%3Dfbl |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=Facebook |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Zuchu's 2021 hit "Sukari" was positioned at number 8 by NotJustOk on their list of the best Tanzanian songs of the decade, ranging from 2012 to 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tanzanian singer Zuchu nominated for 2022 MTV Awards {{!}} The East African |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/magazine/zuchu-nominated-2022-mtv-ema-awards-3983704?view=htmlamp |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.theeastafrican.co.ke}}</ref>
== Awards == In July 2020, Zuchu was awarded the Silver Plaque Button by YouTube for hitting 100,000 subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2020 |title=Zuchu set to rise under the auspices of Diamond Platnumz |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/zuchu-set-rise-under-auspices-diamond-platnumz |access-date=6 November 2020 |website=Music in Africa |language=en}}</ref> She became the first East African female artist to reach that milestone within a week. She also became the first East African female artist to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube 11 months later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muli |first=Davis |title=We have reached 1M subscribers on YouTube I can't thank you enough, Zuchu - Entertainment News |url=https://www.sde.co.ke/article/2001407744/we-have-reached-1m-subscribers-on-youtube-i-can-t-thank-you-enough-zuchu |access-date=2021-04-05 |website=Standard Digital News }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-27 |title=WCB's Zuchu makes history as she becomes first female artiste in East Africa to hit 1 Million subscribers |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/wcbs-zuchu-makes-history-as-she-becomes-first-female-artiste-in-east-africa-to-hit-1/0h562kd |access-date=2021-04-05 |website=Pulse Live Kenya |language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2020, Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the Emerging Artist Award winner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2020 |title=Check out full list of winners at the 2020 AFRIMMA Awards |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/zuchu-nandy-and-diamond-win-big-at-the-2020-afrimma-awards-full-list/vcs43m6 |access-date=24 November 2020 |website=Pulse Live Kenya |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2023, Zuchu received five nominations at the Soundcity MVP Awards, where she also performed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zuchu - Full Performance At Sound City Mvp Awards In Nigeria |url=https://www.nyimbompya.com/zuchu-full-performance-at-sound-city-mvp-awards-in-nigeria-17188.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Nyimbo Mpya |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2023, Zuchu won five awards at the Tanzania Music Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-30 |title=TMA decorates Kikwete as Zuchu grabs five awards - Daily News |url=https://dailynews.co.tz/tma-decorates-kikwete-as-zuchu-grabs-five-awards/,%20https://dailynews.co.tz/tma-decorates-kikwete-as-zuchu-grabs-five-awards/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-29 |title=The Full List Of Winners For The 2023 Tanzania Music Awards {{!}} SEE LIST {{!}} Notjustok East Africa |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/awards/the-full-list-of-winners-for-the-2023-tanzania-music-awards-see-list/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == In November 2022, Zuchu publicly acknowledged her romantic relationship with Diamond Platnumz.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-24 |title='I love you always' - Diamond, Zuchu publicly confirm they are dating : K24 TV |url=https://www.k24tv.co.ke/entertainment/diamond-zuchu-confirm-they-are-dating-87324/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=www.k24tv.co.ke |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Discography == === Albums === Zuchu released her debut EP album ''I Am Zuchu'' in 2020, with a total of seven songs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deezer.com/us/album/142790582|title=Zuchu: I Am Zuchu|website=deezer.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why WCB's new signee Zuchu is a force to reckon with as she unveils her EP 'I am Zuchu' |url=https://www.pulselive.co.ke/entertainment/why-wcbs-new-signee-zuchu-is-a-force-to-reckon-with-as-she-unveils-her-ep-i-am-zuchu/k2tt5v9 |website=Pulselive |access-date=10 June 2020}}</ref>
*2020: ''I Am Zuchu'' *2024: ''Peace and Money''<ref>[https://legacyvibez.com/zuchu-peace-and-money-album/ ''Peace and Money''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230235150/https://legacyvibez.com/zuchu-peace-and-money-album/ |date=30 December 2024 }}</ref>
=== Singles and collaborations === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !Title !Album |- |2025 |"Afande" (with Dogo Paten)
"Hapo" (with G Nako)
"Jembe"
"Oktoba Tunatiki"
"Amanda" (solo or remix with Spice)
"Inama" (feat. Diamond Platnumz) |{{Non-album singles}} |- |2024 |"Till I Die" (feat. Spyro) "Lollipop" (feat. Yemi Alade)
"Mwizi"
"Antenna"
"Makonzi"
"Lullaby" (feat. Majeed)
"I Don't Care"
"Cherie" (feat. Lava Lava)
"Tinini" (feat. H_Art the Band)
"Mama"
"Nimechoka"
"Wale Wale" (feat. Diamond Platnumz)
"Hujanizidi" (feat. D Voice) |''Peace and Money'' |- |2021 |"Yalah"<br> "Nyumba ndogo"<br> "Sukari" |{{Non-album singles}} |- |rowspan="2"| 2020 |"Cheche" (feat. Diamond Platnumz)<br> "Litawachoma" (feat. Diamond Platnumz)<br> "Side2side"<br> "Hakuna Kulala"<br> "Nisamehe"<br> "Kwaru"<br> "Wana"<br> "Raha"<br> "Ashua"(<small>feat. Mbosso)</small><br> "Mauzauza"<small>(feat. Khadija Kopa)</small> |''I Am Zuchu'' |- |"Tanzania ya Sasa"<br> "Shangilia"<br> "Hasara"<br> "Nobody" (feat. Joe Boy)<br> "Number One" (Feat. Rayvanny) | {{Non-album singles}} |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Tanzania}} * {{YouTube | channel= UCOn8zDM533kqzhIA8c3NFbQ | Zuchu }} * {{Twitter | officialzuchu | Zuchu }} * {{Instagram | officialzuchu | Zuchu }} * {{TikTok | officialzuchu | officialzuchu }}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Zuchu}} Category:Living people Category:People from Dar es Salaam Category:Tanzanian Muslims Category:21st-century Tanzanian women singers Category:Women singer-songwriters Category:1993 births Category:Swahili-language Tanzanian singers Category:Tanzanian musicians Category:Tanzanian Bongo Flava musicians