Zambian born, British bred singer songwriter, Katongo Temba aka KT, has been writing songs since the age of 11. Her musical style is best described as Afropop. This comes through in her debut EP entitled “My Way” which is packed with dance influenced tracks laced with African drums and Caribbean rhythms that instantly grab your attention and showcase her ability to deliver meaningful lyrics with strong, yet soothing vocals. Since Katongo’s debut on the music scene, her sound has become signature and has drawn support from tens of thousands of fans across the world.
Between 2012 and 2013 Katongo’s songs ‘Tonight‘ and ‘So good‘ enjoyed regular play on, Amazing radio (UK), Nottingham 97.5 Kemet fm and Shoreditch radio (England), Beat 99.9 fm (Nigeria) Flava Fm (Zambia) to name a few. In 2014 her single, JOY, featuring J.K saw her gain regular airplay on Naija FM, Beat 99.9 fm Nigeria, BBC 1xtra UK and Zambia’s Power fm, Hot 87 fm, Flava FM and Qfm. ‘Joy‘ went on to peak at number 7, on the Beat 99 FM Radio Nigeria and Naija 102 fm Radio.
Katongo’s debut music video ‘Tonight’ peaked at no 17 on a popular German Music Video Chart, ahead of famous artists like Calvin Harris, Ne-yo and David Guetta.
With an ever growing fanbase, Katongo has already been recognized as one of the 20 most successful Zambian women in the UK. Katongo is a signed songwriter having signed a deal with UK Publishing Company Speegra Music UK. Katongo has also garnered praise from the likes of Simon Cowell who featured and recognized her as a top talent in his ‘You Generation’ talent search. Over the last few months the singer has enjoyed collaborating with Zambian music legend JK, Reggae artist Cactus Agony and she has also worked with artists such as J Martins from Nigeria and Sarkodie from Ghana.
Furthermore, Katongo was crowned a winner of the UK Songwriting Contest 2014. Expert judges praised Katongo for writing ‘Make A Change‘, an inspiring reggae style song about finding strength within ourselves to make a positive change to the world.
From January to March 2015 Katongo embarked on her first music tour ‘Back to my Roots’. During the tour she visited her birth Country Zambia. Whilst in Zambia Katongo featured in Several National Newspapers; Daily Mail, The Post, Lusaka Times, and was on the Cover of, and featured in The Bulletin Magazine, among other magazines, as well as several National Televison; ZNBC, MUVI TV and Radio Shows; Radio Phoenix, Power FM, Comet Radio, Rock Fm Now back in the UK.
Katongo has featured in a new UK reality show, performed at Africa Fashion week (London) and her new single Baba received airplay in Uganda, Ghana, England and Nigeria and has peaked at number 3 on radio charts.
Recently, Katongo released her new single ‘All Over Me.’ This song enjoyed radio airplay in the UK (Kiss fm, Rinse Fm, Reprezent Radio), Australia, USA and across over 140 radio stations worldwide.
In addition to her solo project, Katongo collaborated with Reggae artist, Cactus Agony,on a song called ‘Kiss of Life.’ Kiss Of Life, peaked at Number 7 on the MTV Base music video charts. Alongside her music, Katongo enjoys doing charity work and has been aligned with the charity ‘Africans United Against Child Abuse’ (AFRUCA). Recognised as a supporter of the charity, Katongo alongside other speakers, has spoken at the House of Commons on two occasions.
Furthermore, Katongo is also an international model and has appeared in International music videos and Adverts as well as beauty and entertainment magazines (Cocogal UK, Poize Magazine Nigeria, Promota Magazine and EZM).
In 2018 Katongo has released a new single called ‘Tinofara’ and it features Slap Dee. This is the first release from her upcoming debut album. So far ‘Tinofara’ has been playlisted on different radio stations in Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom. Recently, ‘Tinofara’ was selected by the BBC for the BBC Introducing platform and Katongo was invited for an interview and to showcase ‘Tinofara’ on BBC Radio.
Katongo is currently in Zambia and is set to complete her album in Zambia and to set about touring the country soon after. Stay tuned for more from the rising Starlet.