From being rejected at the Idols SA pre-auditions in 2016, and only reaching the Top 16 of The Voice SA, Ami Faku never gave up hopes of fulfilling her music dreams. Her passion and exceptional talent together with the support of her family fuelled her hunger even more and she has now become one of South Africa’s biggest music sensations.
Born and raised in the Eastern Cape township of Ezinyoka in Port Elizabeth, Amanda Faku has become one of the country’s biggest and fastest rising stars. Growing up she used to sing at her father’s church, that’s where she realised her musical talent and decided to pursue music as her career. Her soulful and golden voice has taken over the music charts, landing her 4 SAMA nominations for Female Artist of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Afro Pop Album. In 2019 she produced well-known singles such as “Into Ingawe” featuring Sun-El Musician, “Ubuhle Bakho’ and “Ndikhethe Wena” which have been some of the most played songs on the radio reaching millions of streams. Ami’s sound has influences of modern Afro-Pop and has collaborated with some of South Africa’s biggest artists such as Blaq Diamond, Prince Kaybee, DJ Shimza and recently with powerful songstress Amanda Black.
We chatted to the singer about her road to fame and what inspires her magical sound.
WHO IS AMANDA THE GIRL FROM EBHAYI?
I’d say I’m a musician from the Eastern Cape who is focused, hardworking and driven on perfecting my gift so that I can share it with other people.
I grew up in a township called Ezinyoka in Port Elizabeth. We had a church at home and my father was the pastor. It was around this time I realised that I could sing. When I turned 18, I took an interest in recording in studios. And for many years, I would travel around PE recording music of all genres.
WHAT IS CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART ABOUT WHERE YOU COME FROM?
It’s the support and the love I receive every time I go back. It’s very humbling and reminds me why I do this every day.
YOUR DEBUT ALBUM IMALI IS A YEAR OLD, TELL US WHAT YOU TREASURE THE MOST ABOUT IT?
The way people received it. I wrote and sang from the heart and I was just being honest but I never expected people to fall in love with it as much as they did.
HOW HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN?
It’s been a huge change. Things are so different from when I first started. I didn’t realise music was a 24/7 job, but it is.
YOU WRITE BEAUTIFUL AND EMOTIVE SONGS, WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WRITING PROCESS?
I write about what’s out there and what relates to people, and find the right words to stand out. I add a spiritual element to my songs as well because saying things as they are doesn’t have as much impact since music is art. I write my emotions and feelings and add a bit of fairy tale to the music.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR FANS TO TAKE FROM YOUR MUSIC
Emotion, honesty and sincerity. Every song I write comes from things that I feel very strongly about and that I or the people around me have experienced. I want the audience to relate to it and to connect with it emotionally so that they can find healing.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO FEATURE ON YOUR NEXT ALBUM?
Locally I would really like to work with Black Coffee.
WHO IS YOUR MUSIC INSPIRATION?
Locally it’s Msaki, and internationally it’s Billie Eilish.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR STRENGTH FROM?
From everyday experiences. I’m focused on being positive and working hard to pursue my dreams coming true.
WE’VE BEEN UNDER LOCKDOWN, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO AT HOME?
Working on new music. Writing, recording and taking some time to reflect and think about the next step. It’s given me the time to reflect on how fragile life is.
HOW HAS THE LOCKDOWN PERIOD AFFECTED YOUR WORK?
It’s been a huge financial strain on all artists and has also just been a stressful time. Not knowing what the future holds and not getting booked has caused a lot of anxiety.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY SO FAR CAREER-WISE?
No. I don’t think there’s anything I’d change.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO IN LIFE?
Dreams do come true, you just need to work hard. I’m motivated by ensuring everything I want, comes to life
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE ASPIRING YOUNG ARTISTS?
Try to be as normal and as authentic and true to yourself as possible. That’s important in order to keep your peace because, in the long run it will mess with you, so try to balance both lives. In this industry, you work with your brain and for it to work efficiently, you need peace.
WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2021 FROM YOU?
New music, more collaborations.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Stop doubting yourself and your abilities.
5 MINUTES WITH AMI FAKU
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
October 21, 2020
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
October 21, 2020
Rating:
