Mudiwa Hood

Mudiwa Hood is a Zimbabwean rapper, singer, and actor.

Early life and education Hood was born Ian Mtandwa in 1985 in Harare and grew up in Chitungwiza, attending Nyazura High School. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Psychology, as well as a Masters in Business Administration (Finance) from Africa University.

He began his recording career using the name "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 "", "", and "". In 2013, Hood signed a record deal with Demon Proof Records but left the label in 2015, launching HoodNation Records a year later.

"" (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. as well as brand ambassador for Ster-Kinekor Zimbabwe.

Hood's follow-up releases "Number 1" and "" 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 2013 Zim Hip Hop Awards Best Gospel Act, Best Video 10 Over 10, People's Choice 2013 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards Best Gospel Artist, People's Choice 2014 Zim Hip Hop Awards Best Gospel Act 2014 Gospel Hip Hop Awards Best Video, People's Choice 2015 Zim Hip Hop Awards Best Album Mwana waMambo 2015 PERMICAN Awards Best Urban Contemporary 2017 Zim Hip Hop Awards Best Hustle, Best Video Slayin, Best Gospel Act 2017 Megafest Business Awards Business Personality of the Year 2018 Zim Hip Hop Awards Hip Hop Personality of the Year 2019 Zim Hip Hop Awards The Highest Achievement in Hip Hop, People's Choice 2021 Zim Community News Awards Best Hip Hop Artist of the decade 2021 BEFFTA Awards Man Of The Year 2020/21

Personal life Hood was married to Angelica Colchèita-Hood. They divorced in 2020. They have one child.