Amanda Black - Biography, Career and Songs

Amanda Benedicta Antony, professionally known as Amanda Black, is a rapidly emerging South African singer and songwriter. Her musical journey commenced at the tender age of 6 in 1999, singing in church choirs. Amanda's early exposure to music laid the groundwork for her future success. At the age of 12, she showcased her talent on a larger stage as a contestant on Idols South Africa season 11. Despite facing challenges, she persisted and secured the seventh position after three auditions.

In 2016, Amanda made a pivotal decision to relocate to Johannesburg, marking the beginning of her dedicated pursuit of a music career. This move led to a record deal with Ambitiouz Entertainment, and the same year saw the release of her breakthrough single, "Amazulu," earning her nominations for several music awards.

Her debut studio album, also titled "Amazulu" (2016), was a commercial triumph, winning accolades such as "Album of the Year," "Best Newcomer of the Year," "Best Female Artist of the Year," and "Best R&B Soul/Reggae Album." In 2019, she further solidified her place in the industry by being named the most-streamed artist on Apple Music.

Amanda continued her musical journey with the release of her third studio album, "Mnyama," in 2021, featuring the hit singles "Kutheni Na" and "Let It Go." Notably, Amanda stands out for her consistency since 2015, captivating audiences in South Africa and beyond with music that resonates with people.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 24, 1993, in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Amanda grew up in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, under the care of her mother, Nanku Mamfene Bethuna, alongside her siblings. Amanda's Xhosa heritage is a significant part of her identity.

Her musical inclination became evident during her teenage years, nurtured in the church choir and school band. The foundation laid by these experiences fueled her success in the industry. Amanda, with the middle name Benedicta, ventured outside her comfort zone by participating in talent hunt competitions, enhancing her stage performance and songwriting skills.

In pursuit of her dreams, Amanda moved from the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg, participating in three editions of Idols South Africa, expanding her reach to a broader audience. After completing high school at Kabega Christian School in Port Elizabeth, she continued her education in Music Education at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Amanda Black's journey reflects a relentless commitment to her passion, making her a distinctive force in the South African music scene.

Career

Amanda Black participated in three editions of Idols South Africa but gained widespread recognition during Season 11, where she reached the top 7, becoming a fan favorite.

In January 2016, Amanda made a pivotal move to Johannesburg to pursue her music career, and Ambitiouz Entertainment approached her with a recording contract.

On July 1, 2016, she released her first official single, "Amazulu," a track from her debut studio album of the same name. The song garnered over 4 million views on YouTube.

On November 11, 2016, Amanda released her highly anticipated debut album "Amazulu," which achieved commercial success, selling over 31,000 copies in under a month and earning platinum certification from the Recording Industry of South Africa.

The album's success led to nominations in five categories at the 16th edition of the Metro FM Music Awards and the 2017 South African Music Awards. Additionally, Amanda received a nomination for Viewer’s Choice: Best International Act at the 2017 BET Awards.

On July 20, 2018, she released "Kahle," a single that surpassed a million views on YouTube.

In December 2018, it was announced that Amanda Black was collaborating with Anthony Hamilton on music. In January 2019, she signed with Sony Music Entertainment and released "Thandwa Ndim," her first single in two years, which debuted at No. 1 on the local iTunes charts.

In 2020, Amanda collaborated with Berita on the single "Siyathandana" from the album "Songs in the Key of Love."

Her album "Power" earned her the Best Album of the Year award at the South African Afro Music Awards (Saafma).

On June 4, 2021, she released "Kutheni Na," featuring Kwesta, as the second single from her album. On July 2, 2021, her third single, "Let It Go," was released.

Amanda Black's third studio album, "Mnyama," was released on August 6, 2021, marking another milestone in her musical journey.

Musical Style

Amanda Black's musical journey began in church, where she developed her early singing skills. Influenced by iconic artists like Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Brandy Norwood, and Brenda Fassie, Amanda's musical repertoire spans Xhosa and English. Describing her genre to The Sowetan's Patience Bambalele, she characterizes it as Afro-soul with a blend of hip-hop, soul, and R&B. In a revealing interview on the SuperSport TV show Homeground, hosted by Minnie Dlamini and Lungile Radu, Amanda, accompanied by her music producer Christer Kobedi, shared that her album "Amazulu" was crafted and finalized in just over a month. The title track, "Amazulu," marked her first-ever song written in her home language, Xhosa.

Facial Art

A distinctive aspect of Amanda Black's identity is her use of Xhosa facial paint, known as "umchokozo." This traditional practice, mainly done by women, represents different patterns that hold cultural significance. Amanda, proud of her roots, incorporates this facial art into her public image. It's not just a stylistic choice; it's a meaningful expression of reclaiming her Xhosa culture. Amanda's journey to self-acceptance, particularly regarding her dark skin, started by learning about her Xhosa heritage, history, and origins. Overcoming societal beauty standards that favor lighter skin, Amanda found empowerment in embracing her African identity. Her adoption of tribal facial art, along with her writing, music, and storytelling, reflects a deeper connection to her cultural roots. Amanda's journey towards self-love and acceptance was profoundly influenced by reading Steve Biko's Black Consciousness.

Personal Life

At 30 years old, Amanda Black maintains a semi-introverted demeanor while holding onto her teenage admiration for music icons such as Beyoncé, Brenda Fassie, Brandy Norwood, and Whitney Houston.

Fluent in both English and Xhosa, Amanda showcases her linguistic versatility by singing in both languages. Her collaborative spirit in the music industry extends to partnerships with top South African acts like Ami Faku, Somizi, Sjava, and Anthony Hamilton.

Based in Johannesburg, Amanda has established herself as one of the highest-earning singers in the industry. Her financial success stems from performing at various shows and securing lucrative endorsement deals.

Amanda Black's fashion sense mirrors her spectacular looks, and she is currently in a serious relationship with a loving and responsible young man, whose identity she keeps private. Despite her public profile, Amanda values her privacy, making conscious efforts to avoid controversies.

Recording Labels and Discography

Amanda Black's journey in the music industry has been marked by collaborations with prominent recording labels. She began her musical venture with Ambitiouz Entertainment before garnering attention from other labels.

She has been associated with the following recording labels: Ambitiouz Entertainment, AfroRockstar, and Sony Music Entertainment. Notably, her career kickstarted at Ambitiouz Entertainment, where her talent first caught the industry's eye.

Amanda Black's musical catalog includes three studio albums, eleven singles (six of which as a featured artist), and seven music videos (including three as a featured artist). Her breakthrough came in 2016 with the release of the hit single "Amazulu," which earned multiple award nominations.

The debut studio album, "Amazulu," achieved remarkable success, attaining platinum certification a mere three weeks after its official release. Amanda Black's music has traversed various record labels, including Ambitiouz Entertainment, Sony Music, and her very own label, AfroRockstar.

Studio Albums

Amazulu (2016)

Power (2019)

Mnyama (2021)

Singles

Amazulu (2016)

Seperate (2016)

Phumelela (2016)

Kahle (2016)

Sebenza (2016)

I Do (2017)

Round & Round (2017)

Gaz'Lam (2018)

Thandwa Ndim (2019)

Egoli (2019)

Kutheni Nah (2019)

Let It Go (2019)

Promise Land (2019)

Siyathandana (2020)

Mahala (2023)

Music Videos

Amazulu (2016)

Kahioile (2016)

Phumelela (2016)

Sebenza (2016)

I Do (2017)

Promise Land (2018)

Thandwa Ndim (2019)

Egoli (2019)

Ndizele Wena (2020)

Awards

Below is a list of awards the artist has won in the course of her career:

Metro FM Music Awards

Best R&B Single (2017)

Listeners Choice Award (2017)

South African Music Awards

Album of the Year

Best Newcomer of the Year

Best Female Artist of the Year

Best R&B Soul Reggae Album

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Black

https://www.africanmusiclibrary.org/artist/Amanda%20Black

https://briefly.co.za/44641-amanda-black-age-family-songs-albums-genres-record-labels-instagram.html