Amanda Black

Amanda Black
Background information
Birth name Amanda Benedicta Antony
Born (1993-07-24) 24 July 1993
Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Origin Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
Years active 2015–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website amandablack.co.za

Amanda Benedicta Antony (born 24 July 1993), popularly known by her stage name Amanda Black,[1] is a South African singer-songwriter and recording artist who achieved recognition in 2016 following the release of her hit single "Amazulu",[2] which was nominated in several music awards. Her debut studio album Amazulu was certified platinum three weeks after its release.[3]

Early life and education

Amanda Benedicta Antony is Xhosa.[4] She was born on 24 July 1993 in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa and grew up in Butterworth, Eastern Cape where she spent most of her early life. The songstress later moved to Port Elizabeth where she completed her high school studies at Kabega Christian School, Port Elizabeth before she proceeded to further her education at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University where she studied Music Education.[5]

Career

She started singing at a young age in church and at school until she turned 12 when she began competing in talent hunts which exposed her to stage performance.

2015–present: Career beginnings and Amazulu

The album is about a journey. There are songs in there about me losing and finding myself, my knowing who I am and thriving, songs about heartbreak, love, being happy and comfortable in my skin; and all these are my stories. They are honest.

-Amanda Black, speaking to Amanda Maliba of Independent Online about her debut studio album[6]

She had took part in three editions of the South African Idols but became fans' favourite at the Season 11 of the talent show in which she made it to the top 7.[7] In view of pursuing her music career, she moved to Johannesburg in January 2016 where she was approached by Ambitiouz Entertainment who offered her a recording contract.

On 1 July 2016, she released her first official single titled "Amazulu",[8] a song off her debut studio album also titled Amazulu. The song is credited to have been instrumental in the upward trajectory of her career following its massive reception which saw it gain rotational nationwide airplay and downloaded over 106,000 times,[9] also getting over 2.9 million views on YouTube. On 11 November 2016, she released her long anticipated debut album Amazulu through Ambitiouz Entertainment to commercial success and positive critical review. Under a month after its release, the album sold over 31,000 copies which led the Recording Industry of South Africa to certify it platinum.[10][11] It also earned her nominations in 5 categories at the 16th edition of the Metro FM Music Awards,[12] and 5 categories at the 2017 South African Music Awards.[13][14]She also got nominated for Viewers Choice: Best International Act at the 2017 edition of the BET Awards.

On the 20th of July, she released "Kahle" which also became a fan favourite, positioning Amanda Black as one of the leading artists in South Africa. The song became a national hit, receiving great air-play on local radio stations as well as reaching over 900 000 views on YouTube.

Artistry

Musical style

Amanda Black on Idols South Africa 2016

Amanda Black possesses a soothing yet powerful soprano vocal range. She began singing at an early age in church then later continued to sing to her favourite artists including Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Brandy Norwood, Brenda Fassie and many more. She sings in her dialect Xhosa and in English language. In an interview with Patience Bambalele of The Sowetan, she describes her genre of music as Afro-soul with a fusion of hip-hop and a bit of soul and rhythm and blues.[15] On 29 May 2017 the singer appeared in an interview on the Super Sport TV Show Homeground, hosted by Minnie Dlamini and Lungile Radu, just a few months after her album Amazulu was released. Alongside her, was her Music Producer Christer Kobedi, who claimed that the album was created and finalised in just over one month. The singer also expressed that the album title song "Amazulu" was in fact the first song she had ever written in her dialect Xhosa.

Facial art

Amanda Black usually adorns her face with Stipples of Xhosa face paint as an expression of how proud she is of her roots.[16] "Xhosa facial art – Xhosa umchokozo – is used to represent Xhosa people. There are different types of patterns, which are created mostly by women. When I was growing up, they were mostly done on special occasions – but in some rural parts of the Eastern Cape, for example, umchokozo is an everyday practise. The Xhosa facial art that I wear on my face has quickly become part of my brand as Amanda Black. But it started as a way of expressing myself and embracing who I am. For me, it’s taking back my culture as a Xhosa woman – and feeling beautiful while doing it. It’s about me living the way I understand my culture to be. It’s a way of representing my roots and where I am from."

Growing up, Amanda did not like the fact that she is dark skinned, she says because TV celebrates light skin and she felt like she was not good enough because she is dark.[17] She started learning about her roots as a Xhosa woman, her history and origins. Doing this helped her understand who she is and helped her to love her self as an African woman. This also influenced her decision to start painting her face with tribal art, the way she writes, the music she makes and the stories she tells sonically. Amanda started embracing who she is after reading Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness.[18]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected information
Title Album details Certification
Amazulu[19] RISA: 3x Platinum[20]

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions

(EMA)

 Album Certification
2016 "Amazulu" 1 Amazulu RiSA: 3x Platinum
"Separate" 5
2017 "Kahle" 3 RiSA: Gold
Year Artist Title Peak chart positions

(EMA)

 Album Certification
2016 Jaziel Brothers "My Baby" (featuring Amanda Black) — Out of the Box
"Why" (featuring Amanda Black) —
A-Reece "Sebenza" (featuring Amanda Black) — Paradise
"Family" (featuring Amanda Black and P-Jay) —
2017 Miss Pru "Phumelela" (featuring Amanda Black, Saudi, Sjava, LaSauce, A-Reece, Fifi Cooper and Emtee) 15 Non-album single
LaSauce "I Do" (featuring Amanda Black) 1 Broken Lipstick RiSA: Platinum
Joey B "Round & Round" (featuring Amanda Black) 32 Non-album single
2018 Vusi Nova "Gaz'lam" (featuring Amanda Black) — Non-album single

Videography

Year Artist Title Album Ref
2016 Amanda Black "Amazulu" Amazulu [21]
A-Reece "Sebenza" (featuring Amanda Black) Paradise
2017 Miss Pru "Phumelela" (featuring Amanda Black, Saudi, Sjava, LaSauce, A-Reece, Fifi Cooper and Emtee) Non-album single
Amanda Black "Kahle" Amazulu [22]
LaSauce "I Do" (featuring Amanda Black) Broken Lipstick

Touring

Headlining
  • A Night with Amanda Black (2017)
  • Amanda Black Eastern Cape Tour (2017)
  • One Night Only with Amanda Black (2018)

Awards and nominations

Amanda Black awards and nominations
Totals
Awards won 6
Nominations 19

Metro FM Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Amazulu Best African Pop Album Nominated [23]
Best Female Album Nominated
Herself Best New Artist Nominated [24]
"Amazulu" Song of the Year Nominated
"Separate" Best R&B Single Won [25]
Herself Listeners Choice Award Won [26]

South African Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Amazulu Album of the Year Won [27]
"Amazulu" Record of the Year Nominated [28]
Herself Best Newcomer of the Year Won [29]
Best Female Artist of the Year Won [30]
Amazulu Best R&B Soul Reggae Album Won [31]

BET Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Herself Viewers Choice: Best International Act Nominated [32]

DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Herself Rising Star Nominated [33]

AFRIMA

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Herself Best Female Artist Southern Africa Nominated [34]
Herself Best Female Artiste in Inspirational Music Nominated [35]

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2017 Herself Best African Female Artist (Non Nigerian) Nominated [36]

Dance Music Awards South Africa

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2018 Herself Best African Vocalist of the Year Nominated [37]

South African Afro Music Awards

Year Nominee/work Award Result Ref
2018 Herself Best Afro Female Pending [38]
Herself Best Afro Artist/Album Pending [39]

References

  1. ↑ Nkwanyana, Fundiswa. "I always knew I'd be famous – Amanda Black". The Citizen. South Africa. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "Songstress Amanda Black releases new single Amazulu". South African Broadcasting Corporation. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  3. ↑ Bambalele, Patience. "Amanda Black proves her star power". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  4. ↑ TshisaLIVE. "Amanda Black: I once believed that being black wasn't cool". Times LIVE. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  5. ↑ Bambalele, Patience. "Amanda Black proves her star power". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  6. ↑ Maliba, Amanda (11 November 2016). "Amanda Black brings you magic in Amazulu". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  7. ↑ TshisaLIVE. "Amanda Black compares her musical journey to Jennifer Hudson's". Times LIVE. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  8. ↑ Mytvnews. "Amanda Black drops debut single 'Amazulu' – My TV News". mytvnews.co.za. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "Download Amazulu.mp3". www.datafilehost.com. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  10. ↑ "Congratulations! Amanda Black's album goes platinum after 3 weeks". MSN Entertainment. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017 – via Zalebs.
  11. ↑ "amanda black is already a star; goes platinum after 3 weeks!". MTV Base. 13 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  12. ↑ TshisaLIVE. "Amanda Black leads 2017 Metro FM Music Awards nominations". Times LIVE. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "Nasty C prepares to take the SAMAs". channel24.co.za. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. ↑ "Nasty C and Amanda Black own #SAMA23 nominations night. – DRUM". drum.co.za. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  15. ↑ Bambalele, Patience (15 December 2016). "Amanda Black proves her star power". The Sowetan. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  16. ↑ Solanga, Misha (21 July 2017). "Five interesting facts about Amanda Black". DRUM. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  17. ↑ "SEVEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT AMANDA BLACK". DailySun. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  18. ↑ "Amanda Black Reveals How She Struggled To Accept Her Skin Colour". Youth Village. 2017-03-07. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  19. ↑ "Amazulu by Amanda Black on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  20. ↑ Base, MTV (13 December 2016). "News : amanda black is already a star; goes platinum after 3 weeks!". MTV Base. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  21. ↑ yomzansi. "Amanda Black debuts 'Amazulu' music video". YoMZansi : YMZ – The twalk in Culture. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  22. ↑ yomzansi. "Amanda Black debuts 'Kahle' music video, starring Abigail Kubeka and Vusi Thanda". YoMZansi : YMZ – The twalk in Culture. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  23. ↑ Ano Shumba (19 January 2017). "2017 Metro FM Awards nominees announced". Music Africa. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  24. ↑ Karabo Joyce, Liam (18 January 2017). "Amanda Black, Babes Wodumo lead #MMA16 nominees". Independent Online. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "FULL LIST: Metro FM Award winners 2017". Channel 24. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  26. ↑ "Amanda Black gets her first award and Twitter goes crazy". The Citizen. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "RECAP: Kwesta is the king of SAMA 23". channel24.co.za. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  28. ↑ Citizen (22 May 2017). "Sama 23 Record of the Year award's top 10". The Citizen. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  29. ↑ Modisane, Kgosi. "FULL LIST: Amanda Black scores big at the Samas, walks away with 5 awards". The Citizen. South Africa. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "Kwesta, Amanda Black shine at #SAMA24 – IOL". Independent Online. South Africa. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  31. ↑ TshisaLIVE. "Kwesta dominates #SAMA23". Times LIVE. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  32. ↑ TshisaLIVE (9 June 2017). "Screams! Amanda Black get BET nod". Times LIVE. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  33. ↑ "Everything you need to know about the Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards". channel24.co.za. 21 June 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  34. ↑ "All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – 2017 Nominees' List". afrima.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  35. ↑ Namkwahe, John (27 August 2017). "Ali Kiba and Nandy nominated for AFRIMA awards". The Citizen. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  36. ↑ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2017 (NEA) Full List of Nominees – 36NG". 36ng.ng. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  37. ↑ "South Africa Is Getting Its First Dance Music Awards". pulseradio.net. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  38. ↑ "All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) – 2017 Nominees' List". afrima.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  39. ↑ Namkwahe, John (27 August 2017). "Ali Kiba and Nandy nominated for AFRIMA awards". The Citizen. Retrieved 12 September 2017.


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