Stylistically and vocally resembling the slightly younger sibling of Kehlani, fast-rising contemporary R&B singer and songwriter Zhavia Ward became known on the first season of the 2018 reality singing competition The Four: Battle for Stardom. This exposure has led to a major-label deal with Columbia, a handful of subsequent singles, and appearances on the soundtracks of Deadpool 2 ("Welcome to the Party") and Disney's remake of Aladdin ("A Whole New World"). The whirlwind of activity occurred during a 17-month period across 2018 and 2019, while the grainy-voiced artist, seemingly wise beyond her years, was still a teenager. She continued this momentum with the 17 EP and the 2020 single "Waiting."

A native of suburban Los Angeles, Zhavia Ward developed an early love for several music genres through her parents, both of whom were musicians. Writing poems and songs and singing became an outlet for Ward through an itinerant upbringing that included moving more than 15 times. Shortly after she completed high school, she pursued a music career at a recording studio where auditions for The Four: Battle for Stardom were coincidentally being held. Encouraged by her manager and the singing competition's producers, Ward competed and became a third-place finalist of the show's first season in 2018. Some of her performances, including versions of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and Rihanna's "Man Down," were released by the Republic label. They were soon followed by a recording contract with Columbia and her first proper singles, "Candlelight," "Deep Down," and "100 Ways." Ward co-wrote all three songs, which were produced respectively by Cody Tarpley, Swagg R'Celious, and Warren Oak Felder. By the end of 2018, Ward was also heard alongside French Montana and Lil Pump on the Diplo-produced "Welcome to the Party," recorded for Deadpool 2. Soundtrack work continued the following year with Disney's remake of Aladdin, featuring her and ZAYN on an update of "A Whole New World" that won Choice Movie Song at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards. In June 2019, she released her debut EP 17, which featured production by Felder and Hit-Boy. She returned the following April with the single "Waiting." ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi