Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Mudiwa Hood (born 1985) is a Zimbabwean hip hop/gospel artist and actor.
Early life and education
Hood was born Mudiwa Mtandwa in 1985 in Harare and grew up in Chitungwiza, attending Nyazura High School. He later earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Phycology, as well as a Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from Africa University.
He began his recording career using the surname "Hood" which came from his biological great-grandfather. In 2019, Hood announced he was legally changing his surname to Hood because the Mtandwa surname came from his grandfather's step-father after his great-grandfather Hood abandoned the family.
In 2012, Hood began recording his first songs at CraigBone Studios in Chitungwiza, releasing the singles "Chaputika Zvinestaira", "Anhu Acho Tisu", and "Ndaita Mari". In 2013, Hood signed a record deal with Demon Proof Records but left the label in 2015, launching HoodNation Records a year later.
"Ndaita Mari" (the Shona language title translates to English as "I Made Money") topped Zimbabwean music charts for several weeks and won four awards within a year of its release. In 2015, Steward Bank name Hood as a brand ambassador, using "Ndaita Mari" in its commercials, as well as brand ambassador for Ster-Kinekor Zimbabwe.
Hood's follow-up releases "Number 1" and "Mwana waMambo" were on the Star FM Zimbabwe Gospel Greats top-20 chart for several weeks with "Number 1" being on the chart from September 2013 to May 2014. The 2014 single "Love yaSolo" landed on the Power FM Zimbabwe top-10 chart, as did the 2015 release "Shinga," featuring Nox.
In 2017, Hood was cast in the ZBC TV drama series Muzita Rababa, which was named best Zimbabwe television series at the 2020 National Arts Merit Awards. In the series, he portrays a church choir leader. June 2021, Mudiwa Hood started a reality television programme, UnderTheHood, for ZBC TV.
In 2020, Hood authored and launched a book titled Shut Up and Make Money.
Discography
Albums
- Magnet (2012)
- Mwana waMambo (2015)
- The Street Preacher (2017)
Awards
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Best Gospel Act | Won |
| 2013 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Best Gospel Act, Best Video 10 Over 10, People's Choice | Won |
| 2013 | Zimbabwe Achievers Awards | Best Gospel Artist, People's Choice | Nominated |
| 2014 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Best Gospel Act | Won |
| 2014 | Gospel Hip Hop Awards | Best Video, People's Choice | Nominated |
| 2015 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Best Album Mwana waMambo | Nominated |
| 2015 | PERMICAN Awards | Best Urban Contemporary | Nominated |
| 2017 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Best Hustle, Best Video Slayin, Best Gospel Act | Won |
| 2017 | Megafest Business Awards | Business Personality ofthe Year | Won |
| 2018 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | Hip Hop Personality of the Year | Won |
| 2019 | Zim Hip Hop Awards | The Highest Achievement in Hip Hop, People's Choice | Won |
| 2021 | Zim Community News Awards | Best Hip Hop Artist of the decade | Won |
| 2021 | BEFFTA Awards | Man Of The Year 2020/21 | Nominated |
Personal life
Hood was married to Angelica Colchèita-Hood. They divorced in 2020. They have one child.