2019 was a great year musically speaking for most South Sudanese, albums were released, as well as hard-hitting singles and collabos. There wasn’t a shortage of club bangers with the likes of “Guondo Sakit”, “ Kueen Majongdiit” and “Broken” keeping revellers on the dancefloor. But most importantly, 2019 was the year the Australia-based South Sudanese singer Beckie made her comeback in the industry.
Beckie brought a fresh A-game and her latest single “Hold You”earned her a seat at the table, making her an artist to watch out for in 2020.
Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words describe R&B singer Beckie Johnz perfectly.
Born in Ethiopia and mostly grew up in Kenya and moved to Australia in 2005 when she was 15 years old.
In her early teens,Beckie grew up in a Christian family, whereby she went to church and was involved in a choir. Beckie looked up to her choirmasters and even though she was shy as a child, this gave her the confidence to want to use her God-given talent to pursue a career in the music industry.
Beckie started singing at a very young age even though her family members weren’t supportive of her.
Up until when she moved to Australia, Beckie always kept in the back of her mind that if she were to be presented the opportunity to pursue her passion that she would always take that chance. Growing up, Beckie has always been inspired by music legends such as Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, usher Raymond, Tank, and Toni Braxton, Keysha cole as well as the Destiny Childs.
“At a young age, I used to sing while playing with my friends but as soon as I reached home I would stop because my cousins would make fun of me saying “you’re a girl you shouldn’t sing,” she said.
At the age of 13, Beckie started taking singing more serious, although she was a very shy child. Over the years she started to come out of her shell more by letting the music guide her.
Johnz speaks alot on her insecurities as she grew up. She experienced bullying from distant family members who put her down, furthermore affecting her self esteem. This experience is what eventually inspired Johnz to turn to music. Music became my therapy” states Johnz.
It lifted me up and guided me through my painful and dark days, so this was my way of expressing myself”.
Beckie studied music in high school without the knowledge of her mother, and over the years Beckie strengthened her vocal skills and paid her way through vocal coaching. Through performances, Beckie met with an artist and producer Marvelous under the label BMC that would work with her to present an awesome demo and help take her career to the next level.
Through those musical relationships, Beckie was connected with the duo Marvellous B producer and recorded a mixtape of “that could be us” by Maino and” nothin on you” by B.O.B ft Bruno Mars.
Beckie Johnz took a long break (5 years) from music due to personal issues that she was embarking on, however, Beckie remembered how the music made her feel and why she should continue to use her God-given talent.
She moved with her family to Melbourne, Australia in 2016 where the music is very versatile and undeniably wide.
She knew best to continue to do what lifted her soul up from the beginning “
She hopes her return to music will encourage young women to follow their dreams.
“I want to pave way for my young south Sudanese female upcoming artists, who are afraid to rise up, simply because of the lack of support. I knew best to be a role model in the male-dominant industry within our community,” she said.
Beckie Johnz is currently in the studio working on her first-ever EP which is named JTB ( Just the beginning) due to be released early next year and is expected to be all visuals.
WATCH HER LATEST MUSIC VIDEO HERE:
