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, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2012-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 finished in fifth place in the 21st season on ABC's talent singing competition American Idol.[6] 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".[7]
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 |
2023: American Idol
Ani appeared on season 21 of ABC's American Idol, in the spring of 2023. She placed fifth overall in the competition.
| Episode | Theme | Song Choice | Original Artist | Order Number | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Anyone" | Demi Lovato | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Round, Part 1 | Contestant's Choice | "Good For" | Herself | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Round, Part 2 | Group Performance | "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)" (with PJAE) | Blu Cantrell | N/A | Advanced |
| Showstopper round/Top 55 | Contestant's Choice | "Ain't No Way" | Aretha Franklin | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 26 | Contestant's Choice | "Midnight Sky" | Miley Cyrus | N/A | Safe |
| Top 20 | Contestant's Choice | "Skyfall" | Adele | 20 | Safe |
| "This is Me" | The Greatest Showman | 1 | |||
| Top 12 | Contestant's Choice | "Something's Got a Hold on Me" | Etta James | 8 | Safe |
| Top 10 | Judges' Choice (Luke Bryan) |
"I Have Nothing" | Whitney Houston | 3 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Alanis Morissette & Ed Sheeran song | "Uninvited" | Alanis Morissette | 10 | Safe |
| "Perfect" (with Warren Peay) | Ed Sheeran | 5 | |||
| Top 5 | Disney | "Into the Unknown" | Frozen | 1 | Eliminated |
| "The Climb" | Hannah Montana: The Movie | 6 |
| Episode | Collaborator(s) | Song | Original Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 5 | Top 5 with Sara Bareilles | "When You Wish Upon a Star" | Pinocchio |
| Finale | Top 12 with Pitbull & Lil Jon | "Give Me Everything" | Pitbull |
| Top 12 with Lionel Richie | "Sail On" | Commodores | |
| Jazmine Sullivan | "Bust Your Windows" | Jazmine Sullivan |
Discography
Singles
- "Dance The Night Away" (2018)
- "Confession" (2019)
Disgusted Song House · 2023
Feeling Good The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
The Standard The Standard · 2024 Good For? Frantic · 2023 To the Moon Frantic · 2023 Flowers Frantic · 2023
175 Lbs 175 Lbs · 2023 White Chocolate White Chocolate · 2021
Give Good Burger Back Good Burger 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) · 2023 Take Me to Church The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
No More Drama The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
Villain Outta Me Frantic · 2023
Maybe The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
Won't Take Me Alive Won't Take Me Alive · 2023 Love Overtime Love Overtime · 2019 Broken Wings Broken Wings · 2019 Feel Good Good Burger 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) · 2023
If I Didn't Love You If I Didn't Love You · 2019
Don’t Rain On My Parade The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
MR. MONTGOMERY MR. MONTGOMERY · 2022 Love on the Brain The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
Wishes The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
To Sir With Love To Sir With Love · 2020
Scars to Your Beautiful The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
Ave Maria The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016
God Bless The Child The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016 'Zat You, Santa Claus? Trois Dame Christmas · 2019
Home The Complete Season 11 Collection (The Voice Performance) · 2016 When Christmas Comes to Town Trois Dame Christmas · 2019 This Christmas Trois Dame Christmas · 2019
Hardwood Hardwood · 2024
Head Up High Head Up High · 2018
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.[8] 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.[9][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.
- ^ "'American Idol 21' episode 18 recap: Top 5 perform for 'Disney Night' who was eliminated?". Gold Derby. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
- ^ 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.