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Ami Faku

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Ami Faku
Background information
Birth nameAmanda Faku
Born (1993-05-28) 28 May 1993 (age 31)
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Years active2017- Present
LabelsVth Season

Amanda Faku (born 28 May 1993) is a South African singer, performer and songwriter. Born and raised in the township of eZinyoka, Port Elizabeth, developed musical interest at the age of 6 and participated on church choirs. Faku rose to fame as a contestant on The Voice SA season 2 in 2017, prior to getting recognition in the music industry. [1][2]

After she signed a record deal with The Vth Season, Ami released her debut studio album Imali (2019), debuted number one in South Africa.[3] It reached Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

Mail & Guardian, ranked Faku number 27 on 200 Young South African, in 2020.[4]

Life and career

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Early childhood

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At the age of 6, Faku had developed a strong passion for music.[5] She started singing at a house church which her father pastored and is influenced by the church, reggae, and hip hop. She later started recording music in early 2012 where her producer only lived a few blocks away from her house.[6]

Career beginnings (2017–2019)

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In 2017, she competed in the TV talent show, The Voice SA, which was her major breakthrough in the music industry.[7] Though she did not win, she was signed by The Vth Season record label.[7]

2019–present: Imali, EA Wave Reimagines

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Following her success on The Voice SA, she launched her debut single titled "Ndikhethe Wena".[8] Faku later worked with De Mogul SA on the song "Ungowam". On 31 January 2020, her single "uWrongo" by South African DJ Prince Kaybee was released features Ami Faku, Shimza and Black Motion.[9] The song was certified gold certification on Recording Industry of South Africa with sales of 25 000 units.[10]

Faku collaborated with South African DJ and producer Sun-El Musician on a song titled "Into Ingawe", certified 3× platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[11][12][13] On 16 August, her single "Inde Lendlela" was released. The song later was certified platinum. On 26 September 2020, she released a single "Imali" featuring Blaq Diamond. The song was certified platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa.[14]

On 27 September 2020, her debut studio album Imali was released.[15] The album later was certified gold. It was produced by Blaq Diamond, Sun-El Musician, 37MPH Eternal Africa and Wilson. In November 2020, she was nominated for Best Female in Southern Africa and Best Newcomer at African Muzik Magazine Awards.

In 2020, she was named as the most-streamed female artist in South Africa by Deezer.[16][17][18]

On 21 August, she released her EP titled EA Wave Reimagines. On 31 October, her single with Wichi 1080 "Never Let you go" was released.[19]

2021–present: New projects

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On 22 January, she released a single "Lala Ngoxolo" featuring South African rapper Emtee.[20]

In September 2021, Ami was featured on "Abalele" by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa. The song debuted number 4 on Spotify Charts.[21]

In early October 2021, she was featured with singer Sha Sha on Nomfundo Moh single "Phakade Lami".[22] That same month, Ami made collaboration on African Lullabies Part 1 compilation album by Platoon.[23][24]

In November 2021, she made collaboration with Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa on a single "Asibe Happy" released.[25]

Faku released "Fatela" on 28 October 2022 together with Aymos. The song was certified platinum in South Africa.[26]

Discography

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Studio albums

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EP's

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  • EA Wave Reimagines (2020)

As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Ndikhethe Wena" 2018 Imali
"Ubuhle Bakho" 2019
"Inde Lendlela"
"Mbize"
"Love Drunk" Non-album single
"Ndiyeke" (Lemon & Herb, Ami Faku) Non-album single
"Regrets..."(Zoocci Coke Dope, Ami Faku) Non-album single
"Into Ingawe" (Sun-El Musician, Ami Faku) — RiSA: 2× Platinum [28] Non-album single
"Khonza" (Kekelingo, Ami Faku) 2020 Non-album single
"Sihlobo Sami" (Kenza, Ami Faku) 2021 Non-album single
"Fatela" (Ami Faku and Aymos) 2022 Platinum[29] Non-album single
"There is Music in the Air" (Ami Faku, Black Coffee) Gallo Remixed
"Umthandazo" (Karyendasoul, Ami Faku) WL4OM
"Zimbali" (Prince Kaybee, Ami Faku) Gemini
"Andikayeki" (Heavy-K, Ami Faku) 2023 Non-album single
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List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Phakade Lami" (Nomfundo Moh featuring Ami Faku and Sha Sha) 2021 1 6× Platinum Amagama
"Makwande" (Sun-El Musician, Fk Mash featuring Ami Faku) 2022 AEDM:Interstellar
"Unozala" (Kenza, Ami Faku, Msaki featuring Sun-El Musician) 2024 — Non-album single

Guest appearances

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Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Uyathandeka" 2020 Mthunzi Selimathunzi
"Hamba Ngifike" Simmy Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)
"Uleleni" Black Motion The Healers: The Last Chapter
"iLanga" Sun-El Musician, Simmy To the World & Beyond
"Goduka" Sun-El Musician, Mthunzi
"I Like it Anyway" 2021 Sun-El Musician African Electronic Dance Music
"Esikhathini" 2022 Murumba Pitch, Sun-El Musician Horumar
"Ndisize" 2024 Caiiro Caiiro

Other charted and certified songs

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List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Ndisize" (Caiiro, Ami Faku) 2024 1[30] Caiiro
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Results Ref.
2020 26th SAMA Female Artist of the Year Won [31][32][33]
Newcomer of the Year Nominated [34][35]
Best Afro Pop Album Nominated [36]
2020 African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Newcomer Nominated [37]
Best Female Southern Africa Nominated
2021 Saafma Best Female Artist Award Cancelled [38]
Best Song of the Year Cancelled
Best Rising Star Cancelled
2023 Content Creator Awards Song of the Year Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Liam Karabo Joyce (25 June 2019). "Ami Faku shares journey through music". www.iol.co.za.
  2. ^ "Ami Faku taking music scene by storm". SowetanLIVE.
  3. ^ "Ami Faku's debut album is here". Channel 0. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African". Mail & Guardian. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  5. ^ Ndlovu, Romeo (5 July 2021). "Ami Faku Started Singing At Age Six - See How Accomplished A Musician She Is Now". Buzz South Africa. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  6. ^ Nkosi, Joseph (23 November 2019). "Ami Faku Biography, Career, Record Label, Imali, Songs & Instagram". thenation.co.za.
  7. ^ a b "Ami Faku, 27 - Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans". Mail & Guardian. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  8. ^ Mpiletso Motumi (16 October 2018). "Ami Faku has found her voice". iol.co.za.
  9. ^ "Prince Kaybee releases new single, Uwrongo, featuring Ami Faku, Shimza and Black Motion | JustNje". JustNje. 31 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Reviewing Ami Faku's Album". 702.co.za.
  11. ^ "Ami Faku & Sun El Musician's Hit Into Ingawe Now Double Platinum". 20 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Ami Faku on cloud nine as she rakes in accolades". SowetanLIVE.
  13. ^ Mbambo, Simphiwe (20 May 2020). "Ami Faku and Sun Els "Into Ingawe" goes double platinum - SA". www.musicinafrica.net. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  14. ^ Adejoy (16 December 2020). "Ami Faku's singles are multiple platinum and debut album certified gold". Fakaza News.
  15. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo (30 September 2020). "Ami Faku Delivers a Stellar Debut Album with 'Imali' - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica.
  16. ^ "Ami Faku Earns Top Spot Of Most Streamed Female Artist On Deezer In 2019". ZAlebs.
  17. ^ Herbst, Denika (11 March 2020). "Ami Faku number 1 most-streamed SA female artist on Deezer in 2019". briefly.co.za.
  18. ^ "Ami Faku Number 1 Most-Streamed South African Female Artists on Deezer in 2019 »". 12 March 2020.
  19. ^ Jabulani, John (31 October 2020). "Ami Faku & Wichi 1080 - Never Let You Go". Ubetoo.
  20. ^ Mbendeni, Alutho (5 February 2021). "Ami Faku on new single Lala Ngoxolo and her upcoming second album | Drum". News24. South Africa.
  21. ^ Neophytou, Nadia. "The 10 Best Amapiano Songs of 2021 - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  22. ^ Darangwa, Shingai (20 November 2021). "Nomfundo Moh: Ami Faku and Sha Sha collabo was a surprise gift". Independent Online. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  23. ^ "Ami Faku, Msaki, TRESOR, others feature on Platoon's African Lullabies album -". museafrica.com. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  24. ^ Shumba, Ano (1 October 2021). "SA: Platoon celebrates Kids Music Day with release of African Lullabies album | Music In Africa". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  25. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (12 November 2021). "Tweeps clap for Kabza De Small and Maphorisa for releasing 'Asibe Happy' 'on time'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Aymos's Fatela' Reaches Platinum Status & Surpasses 2 Million Views".
  27. ^ Mike, Steven (26 September 2019). "Ami Faku Imali Album". iminathi. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  28. ^ Seroto, Butchie (20 May 2020). "Ami Faku and Sun-El's Into Ingawe goes double platinum in SA | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Aymos's Fatela' Reaches Platinum Status & Surpasses 2 Million Views".
  30. ^ "Local Streaming Chart Top 10". The Official South Africa Charts. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  31. ^ "Ami Faku bags Best Female of the Year award at the SAMAs | eNCA". www.enca.com.
  32. ^ "Ami Faku, AKA, Benjamin Dube receive top honours at SAMA26 night 4". www.iol.co.za.
  33. ^ Mbendeni, Alutho (22 May 2020). "Ami Faku on her Sama win, the financial effects of Covid-19 and new music". Drum.
  34. ^ "Here's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners". okayafricasite.
  35. ^ "AND THE SAMA NOMINEES ARE..." DailySun.
  36. ^ "Samas boss unfazed by snub of hitmakers". SowetanLIVE.
  37. ^ Hansen, Gabriel Myers (16 November 2020). "African Muzik Magazine Awards 2020: All the winners | Music In Africa". Music In Africa.
  38. ^ Patience Bambalele (7 May 2021). "Star-studded list of nominees for 2021 South African Afro Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE.
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