Bulawayo-born creative Michele Tjabvaponi Nleya, popularly known as Young Tj Myah, is carving out a niche for herself in Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, straddling music, acting, dance, modelling and scriptwriting.
Born in Bulawayo and raised in Rusape, the multi-talented artiste began her creative journey through gospel music before venturing into other genres and disciplines.
It was in 2020 that she began exploring hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeat, broadening her artistic expression.
“I was inspired by Young Thug and Lil Uzi Vert’s exclusive content and dirty music versions,” she said.
Her expansion into the entertainment industry saw her working with MG Promotion in Harare, where she initially worked as a personal assistant to Maxwell Giss while also pursuing opportunities as a model, dancer and actress.
She says the experience exposed her to different performers and creative environments, allowing her to develop her confidence both on and off stage.
Young Tj Myah has also featured as a video vixen in productions including Roadrunner by Tanman and Emkhukhwini by Songbird featuring Stormza.
Her modelling work has seen her feature in publications including Urban Issue Magazine, The Connect Base ZA Magazine and SLIM Entertainment.
- Young Tj Myah charts her own creative path
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However, music remains an important part of her artistic identity.
In 2022, she worked with BGEZim Movies, known for film productions including Captain Zimbabwe, where she expanded her portfolio into scriptwriting and acting.
She collaborated on the movie Magical Valentine, which was shot and produced in Masvingo, playing the lead character Valentine.
Her work with BGEZim Movies also extended into music, with the production of her Christian rap song More Than A Winner, a track she describes as a continuation of her gospel roots.
“I never gave up on gospel music, but now I call it Christian rap in my hip-hop industry,” she said.
She has also written scripts for several unfinished projects, including Love Birds, Monica and Brian and Kumhiri Forest, in collaborations involving Basotho, Moosetekash Entertainment and Black Nation.
Her versatility has subsequently taken her to different platforms and stages.
In 2022, she was interviewed by Ubert Chibby on GZU Campus Radio in Masvingo, discussing her creative work, while in 2023 she shared the stage with established artiste Solution GC and other performers at a karaoke festival in Gweru.
She also worked with Mankind Studio and collaborated with emerging artistes in Masvingo.
Her music journey reached another milestone in 2025 when she released her first album, I Gerrit From My Mama, a 13-track project produced by Nashville of Rockup Studios and Egavaseynote Beats, with contributions from Mankind Studios.
The album is available on YouTube and Audiomack.
In August 2025, she signed with DC Music Love USA, a label registered in the United Kingdom, and released an EP titled Boy.
The project includes tracks such as Motivator and Dollar Signs, with the music also distributed on platforms including Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music and Apple Music.
Back home, Young Tj Myah continued performing at various events, including an Independence Day show at Leisure Pub Centre along Harare Road in April 2025, where she shared the stage with artistes including Noluntu J, Rpeels, Nico C and Boy Tricky.
She also performed at talent shows and other entertainment events in Bulawayo, including Hip-Hop Takeover at Backroom Shisha Lounge and shows at Mabutweni Hall and Ntumbaneko Yonah Shops.
Her single My Heart, an Afrobeat track produced by Stormza Audio Works, featuring Txrryie and presenter Moyo Wana, was officially released on January 2 this year.
She has since used local media platforms to promote her music and discuss her wider creative ambitions, appearing on Skyz Metro FM, Lifestyle Podcast and Nust FM.
Her recent releases include Love Shouldn’t, My Heart and More Than A Winner.
Away from performing, Young Tj Myah has also developed an interest in music production and beat-making, working with Egavaseynote Beats under producer Tony 1 Savage.
With her career continuing to move across different creative disciplines, she says she has ambitious plans for the future.
Young Tj Myah wants to establish herself not only as a recording artiste, but also as a recognised content creator and entrepreneur.
“I advise all women in the same field to focus, not minding criticism and negativity. The sky is the limit,” she said.
