Zua's Biography
Zua is an award-winning Sierra Leonean artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and cultural ambassador whose music connects the rich sounds of his homeland with a contemporary global vision.
Known for his infectious energy, distinctive style, and conscious storytelling, Zua blends Gumbay, Bubu, Milo Jazz, Afrobeats, Afro-pop, reggae, dancehall, and global rhythms, creating music that carries messages of love, perseverance, gratitude, cultural pride, and social consciousness.
Born Ibrahim Sorie Kamara in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Zua began his musical journey in 2000 as one half of the duo Black Snoop & Papayzua. He later established himself independently as Uncle Papayzua before evolving into the artist known today simply as Zua—a transformation representing growth, maturity, and a renewed creative vision.
His 2024 album Triumph marked an important chapter in his career. His single “Grace” went on to earn Best Music Video at the 2025 Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards, where Zua was also named Best Diaspora Artist. In 2026, Grace received Best Music Video of the Year at the Sierra Leone Music Awards.
Now signed to BSK MUSIC, Zua continues to expand his artistry and global reach. Beyond music, he is the founder of Gem101 Entertainment and the creative force behind Zua Nation, a fashion and lifestyle brand that brings together culture, class, sport, contemporary fashion, creativity, and global style.
Rooted in Sierra Leone and inspired by the world, Zua continues to use music, fashion, and creativity to build connections across cultures and generations.
This is more than music. This is Zua.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Born Ibrahim Sorie Kamara in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Zua developed a passion for music and creative expression from an early age. Growing up surrounded by Sierra Leone’s rich culture, rhythms, and traditions helped shape the artist and storyteller he would later become.
Zua began his professional musical journey in 2000 as one half of the duo Black Snoop & Papayzua. Together, they recorded songs including All Night Party and Me Love You featuring M2, establishing an early foundation for his career in Sierra Leonean music.
As his journey evolved, Zua stepped forward independently as Uncle Papayzua, developing his own sound, identity, and creative direction. Years of growth and experience eventually led to another defining transformation—the transition from Uncle Papayzua to simply Zua.
Those early beginnings remain an important part of his story, grounding an artist whose vision today reaches far beyond borders while remaining proudly connected to Sierra Leone and its culture.
Solo Career and Rise to Prominence
Following his early years with Black Snoop & Papayzua, Zua embarked on a solo journey that allowed him to develop his own musical identity while blending his Sierra Leonean roots with contemporary African and global influences.
While studying for his BSc. in Business Administration at UNIMTECH, Zua rebranded and launched his solo career with his debut album, Focus. The project marked an important turning point in his career and introduced a new chapter in his growth as an independent artist.
Beyond entertainment, Zua used his music as a platform for public service. He served as a Road Safety Ambassador, recording five public-awareness songs and touring all 12 districts of Sierra Leone to promote road safety. Expanding that initiative, he organized the Miss Road Safety Beauty Pageant, combining entertainment, community engagement, and education to raise greater awareness about road safety.
This period also coincided with the release of his second solo album, which featured the hit single “Sweet Me” featuring Nega Don, further strengthening his presence in the Sierra Leonean music scene.
Over the years, Zua continued evolving as an artist, songwriter, and performer, creating music centered on love, resilience, perseverance, culture, and everyday life. His versatility allowed him to move naturally between Gumbay, Bubu, Milo Jazz, Afrobeats, Afro-pop, reggae, and dancehall while maintaining an identity distinctly his own.
His evolution eventually led to the transition from Uncle Papayzua to Zua, representing artistic maturity and a renewed global vision. His 2024 album Triumph became another major milestone, followed by “Grace,” which earned significant recognition.
In 2025, Zua was named Best Diaspora Artist at the Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards, while Grace received Best Music Video. In 2026, Grace went on to win Best Music Video of the Year at the Sierra Leone Music Awards.
Now signed to BSK MUSIC, Zua continues to build on his journey—creating new music, expanding his creative vision, and proudly carrying Sierra Leonean culture onto the global stage.
International Expansion & Rebranding to Zua
As his career evolved, Zua expanded his creative journey beyond Sierra Leone, using his experiences in the diaspora to connect his cultural roots with a broader international audience. This new chapter exposed him to different sounds, cultures, and creative influences while strengthening his commitment to representing Sierra Leonean music and culture on the global stage.
After years of performing as Uncle Papayzua, he made the defining decision to rebrand simply as Zua. The change represented more than a new stage name—it reflected growth, maturity, reinvention, and a clearer global vision for his music and creative identity.
The Zua era introduced a more refined sound that brings together Gumbay, Bubu, Milo Jazz, Afrobeats, Afro-pop, reggae, dancehall, and global rhythms. His 2024 album Triumph became a major statement of this evolution, celebrating perseverance and the journey that shaped him.
The momentum continued with “Grace,” whose visual earned Best Music Video at the 2025 Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards and later Best Music Video of the Year at the 2026 Sierra Leone Music Awards. Zua was also recognized as Best Diaspora Artist at the 2025 Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards.
Now signed to BSK MUSIC, Zua is continuing his international expansion through new music, performances, fashion, and cultural projects. His vision extends beyond being an artist—he is building Zua Nation as a creative identity that connects music, culture, fashion, lifestyle, and community.
Through every stage of his evolution, one thing remains constant: Zua is proudly rooted in Sierra Leone while creating for a world without borders.
Rooted in Sierra Leone. Built for the world. This is Zua.
Cultural Visionary
Beyond music, Zua has built a creative vision centered on culture, identity, community, and connection. He believes culture should not only be preserved but continuously reimagined and introduced to new generations and audiences around the world.
As a Cultural Ambassador for BSK NETWORK, Zua uses his platform to promote cultural awareness, celebrate Sierra Leonean heritage, and help create meaningful connections between the homeland and the diaspora. Through music, fashion, entertainment, and community initiatives, he works to ensure that culture remains visible, relevant, and proudly represented on the global stage.
That vision is also reflected in Zua Nation, his fashion and lifestyle brand, where cultural influence meets class, sport, contemporary fashion, creativity, and global style. Rather than limiting culture to tradition alone, Zua incorporates it into modern forms of expression that can connect with people across backgrounds and generations.
His work as the creator of Father’s Day Out with Zua further demonstrates that commitment, bringing together family, music, entertainment, culture, and community while creating a platform that celebrates fatherhood and positive representation.
For Zua, being a cultural visionary means honoring the past, representing the present, and helping shape what comes next—building bridges between Sierra Leone, the diaspora, and the world through creativity and purpose
Achievements
- Best Music Video of the Year – “Grace” — Sierra Leone Music Awards, 2026
- Best Diaspora Artist — Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards, 2025
- Best Music Video – “Grace” — Sierra Leone DJs Union Awards, 2025
- Released Triumph, a defining album in his transition and rebranding to Zua
- Served as a Road Safety Ambassador, recording five public-awareness songs and touring all 12 districts of Sierra Leone
- Founded and organized the Miss Road Safety Beauty Pageant, combining entertainment with road-safety education and advocacy
- Founder of Gem101 Entertainment
- Creator of Zua Nation, a fashion and lifestyle brand connecting culture with contemporary global style
- Creator of Father’s Day Out with Zua, an annual celebration of fatherhood, family, culture, entertainment, and community
- Serves as a Cultural Ambassador for BSK NETWORK, promoting Sierra Leonean heritage and strengthening cultural connections between Sierra Leone and the diaspora
- Currently signed to BSK MUSIC, marking another chapter in his international artistic journey
Together, these accomplishments reflect Zua’s evolution from a young artist in Freetown into an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, cultural ambassador, and creative visionary with a growing international presence.