Zelda Manteaw: Spinning Beats, Spreading Hope, Changing Lives

Zelda Manteaw

A force of rhythm, compassion, and unwavering purpose — Zelda Manteaw, known across stages as DJ Zel, doesn’t just play music — she creates movement. Her journey began with beats but soon evolved into a symphony of impact, blending sound with service. Trained by leading academies and supported by family, her music has traveled from radio booths to fashion runways, royal halls to Ghanaian stages. Each set she spins carries power — not just to entertain, but to uplift, to unite, to heal.

Yet her greatest hits echo far beyond music. At a tender age, witnessing poverty in Ghana ignited something deeper — a mission. She donated over £20,000 to children’s hospitals and homes. Her beats moved crowds. Her heart moved lives.

Zelda’s compassion surged during the pandemic. With her “11 to 11” campaign, she raised awareness for food and education poverty. Her story was heard on BBC, Sky, and ITV — not just as a DJ, but as a changemaker blazing a path of hope.

Zelda’s journey is a melody of impact. She uplifts Newham’s local communities with consistent support, donates handmade natural hair products to care homes, and inspires youth across continents. In 2024, she returned to Ghana with books, dreams, and determination — donating over 1,500 supplies to schools in need. Each action she takes is layered with love, driven by purpose. Zelda’s story isn’t one of overnight fame — it’s of daily commitment. Of choosing empathy over applause. Her dream is clear: build libraries, reduce poverty, and remix a future where no child is left behind. And she’s doing it — one beat at a time.

Whether commanding turntables or crafting care packages, Zelda redefines what it means to be an artist. She’s an ambassador of joy, resilience, and equity. She blends genres — Afrobeat to Gospel — but blends lives too, across borders and backgrounds. From playing for diplomats and Congress members to empowering peers through education, her reach is vast, yet her vision remains humble. Guided by Mandela’s wisdom — that education is the most powerful weapon — she balances school, music, and service with grace. Her story tells us: power isn’t in popularity, it’s in purpose. And Zelda wields hers with brilliance, light, and love.

Winning the Global Child Prodigy Award again in 2025 reaffirmed Zelda’s mission. “It’s overwhelming,” she shares. “But it shows that one voice, one heart, one turntable — can make the world dance differently.”