Wé Ani (recording artist)
Wé Ani | |
|---|---|
Wé Ani performs at the 2025 19/Idol/BMG CMA Fest Takeover in Nashville, TN. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Wé McDonald January 23, 1999 Harlem, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupations | singer, songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | vocalist, congas, bass |
| Years active | 2017-present |
| Labels | AHM Records, Del Oro Music |
| Website | weanimusic |
Wé McDonald (born January 13, 1999),[1] known professionally as Wé Ani, is an American singer and songwriter. She finished in third place in the 11th season on NBC's talent singing competition The Voice on Team Alicia Keys.[2] Her first single, "Dance The Night Away", debuted on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart at #50 on July 7, 2018, and reached its peak at #33 on July 28, 2018.[3] It spent a total of seven weeks on the chart. "Dance The Night Away," written by Ani, Robert Eibach and David Longoria featured remixes by producer Robert Eibach, ChudaBeats, HuDanz, DJ Chris Z and hi5.[4] Her second single "Confession" peaked on the Billboard Club Songs chart on September 28, 2019.[5] She is currently working on her debut album in Los Angeles, California.
Early life
Wé Ani was born on January 23, 1999, in Harlem and was raised between there and New Jersey.[1] She now uses Wé Ani as her name, saying that "Ani" is Swahili for "diligence".[6]
Career
2016: The Voice
Ani appeared on season 11 of NBC's The Voice, in the fall of 2016. She got a four chair turn during the auditions, and chose to be part of Alicia Keys's team on the show.
- – Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes
| Stage | Song | Original Artist | Date | Order | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind Audition | "Feeling Good" | Nina Simone | September 20, 2016 | 2.4 | All four chairs turned
Joined Team Alica |
| Battle Rounds (Top 48) | "Maybe" (vs. Lauren Diaz) | The Chantels | October 10, 2016 | 7.6 | Saved by Coach |
| Knockout Rounds (Top 32) | "No More Drama" (vs. Courtnie Ramirez) | Mary J. Blige | October 26, 2016 | 11.5 | |
| Live Playoffs (Top 24) | "Home" | Stephanie Mills | November 7, 2016 | 15.3 | Saved by Public Vote |
| Live Top 12 | "Take Me to Church" | Hozier | November 14, 2016 | 16.7 | |
| Live Top 11 | "Love on the Brain" | Rihanna | November 21, 2016 | 18.11 | |
| Live Top 10 | "God Bless the Child" | Billie Holiday | November 28, 2016 | 20.7 | |
| Live Semi-finals (Top 8) | "Scars to Your Beautiful" | Alessia Cara | December 5, 2016 | 22.6 | |
| Live Finals (Top 4) | "Don't Rain on My Parade" | Barbra Streisand | December 12, 2015 | 26.12 | 3rd place |
| "Ave Maria" (with Alicia Keys) | Traditional | 26.6 | |||
| "Wishes" | Wé McDonald (original) | 26.3 |
| Order | Collaborators | Song | Original Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19.2 | Alicia Keys and Christian Cuevas | "People Get Ready" | The Impressions |
| 21.1 | Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles, Austin Allsup, Ali Caldwell, Christian Cuevas, Brendan Fletcher, Josh Gallagher, Aaron Gibson, Billy Gilman, Courtney Harrell, and Sundance Head | "Circle of Love" | Dolly Parton |
| 25.1 | Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Austin Allsup, Ali Caldwell, Christian Cuevas, Brendan Fletcher, Josh Gallagher, Aaron Gibson, Billy Gilman, Courtney Harrell, Sundance Head, Sa'Rayah, Darby Walker | "Faith" | Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande |
| 25.3 | John Legend | "Love Me Now" | John Legend |
| 25.9 | Aaron Gibson, Brendan Fletcher, and Darby Walker | "Love Lockdown" | Kanye West |
Discography
Singles
- "Dance The Night Away" (2018)
- "Confession" (2019)
Reception
Dance The Night Away debuted on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart at #50 on July 7, 2018, and reached its peak at #33 on July 28, 2018. As of September 1, 2018, it was #28 on the Starfleet Music Dance Songs chart.[7] Ani's second single "Confession" was released in the summer of 2019 and debuted at #40 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and peaked at #14 on September 28 where it stayed for two weeks.[8][5] This is her highest Billboard charting song to date.
References
- ^ a b Bronson, Fred (April 30, 2023). "Meet 2023's 'American Idol' Top 10 Contestants". Billboard. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
- ^ Gottfried, Sophia F. (December 13, 2016). "Paterson's Wé McDonald finishes third on 'The Voice'". Retrieved September 29, 2025.
- ^ "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ^ "Ani (14) - Dance The Night Away Remixes". Discogs. May 18, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Avery (April 17, 2023). "Wé Ani: 5 Things To Know About The Powerhouse Singer On 'American Idol'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ Matthews, Ronnie. "Top-60 Dance Chart 9/1/2018". Starfleet Music Pool. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ "Billboard Dance Chart Upstarts: Elderbrook & Rudimental, Ani, Svdden Death". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2020.