View source for Ami Faku

{{Short description|South African singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Ami Faku
| image             = Ami Faku (2023).png
| birth_name        = Amanda Faku
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1993|5|28|df=yes}}
| birth_place       = Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
| occupation        = {{hlist| Singer | Songwriter}}
| module            = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed           = yes
| genre           = {{hlist| [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]| [[Soul music|Soul]]
}}
| instrument      = Vocals
| years_active    = 2017- Present
| label           = Vth Season
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
* [[Sun-El Musician]]
* Kabza De Small
* [[DJ Maphorisa]]
<!--- only  list artist  that has made collaboration multiple  times  not once-->
}}
| net worth       =
}}
}}
'''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 South Africa|The Voice SA]]  season 2 in 2017, prior getting recognition in the music industry. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/ami-faku-shares-journey-through-music-27542081|title=Ami Faku shares journey through music|website=www.iol.co.za|last=Liam Karabo Joyce|date=25 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2019-10-11-ami-faku-taking-music-scene-by-storm/|title=Ami Faku taking music scene by storm|website=SowetanLIVE}}</ref>
After she signed a record deal with The Vth Season, Ami released her debut studio album ''Imali'' (2019), debuted number one in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://channelo.dstv.com/news/ami-faku-s-debut-album-is-here|title=Ami Faku's debut album is here|access-date =September 27, 2019|publisher=Channel 0}}</ref> It reached Gold by the [[Recording Industry of South Africa]] (RiSA).
''[[Mail & Guardian]]'', ranked Faku number 27 on 200 Young South African, in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mail & Guardian 200 Young South African |date=4 September 2020 |url=https://200youngsouthafricans.co.za/ami-faku-27-2020/|publisher=Mail & Guardian|access-date=2024-06-19}}</ref>
== Life and career ==
=== Early childhood ===
At the age of 6, Faku had developed a strong passion  for music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku Started Singing At Age Six - See How Accomplished A Musician She Is Now|url=https://buzzsouthafrica.com/ami-faku-started-singing-at-age-six-see-how-accomplished-a-musician-she-is-now/| date=2021-07-05
|first=Romeo|last=Ndlovu|access-date=2021-11-21| publisher=Buzz South Africa}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenation.co.za/bio/ami-faku-biography/|title=Ami Faku Biography, Career, Record Label, Imali, Songs & Instagram|website =thenation.co.za|first=Joseph|last=Nkosi|
date=November 23, 2019}}</ref>
=== Career beginnings (2017–2019) ===
In 2017, she competed in the TV talent show, ''The Voice SA'', which was her major breakthrough in the music industry.<ref name="Mail & Guardian">{{cite web| title=Ami Faku, 27 - Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans |date=4 September 2020 |url=https://200youngsouthafricans.co.za/ami-faku-27-2020/|access-date =2022-05-11| publisher=Mail & Guardian}}</ref> Though she did not win, she was signed by The Vth Season record label.<ref name="Mail & Guardian"/>
=== 2019–present: ''Imali'', ''EA Wave Reimagines'' ===
Following her success on ''The Voice SA'', she launched her debut single titled "Ndikhethe Wena".<ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku has found her voice|url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/ami-faku-has-found-her-voice-17502550|website=iol.co.za|last=Mpiletso Motumi|date=16 October 2018|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prince Kaybee releases new single, Uwrongo, featuring Ami Faku, Shimza and Black Motion {{!}} JustNje|url= https://justnje.com/prince-kaybee-releases-new-single-uwrongo-featuring-ami-faku-shimza-and-black-motion/|work=JustNje|date=January 31, 2021}}</ref> The song was certified gold certification  on [[Recording Industry of South Africa]] with sales of 25 000 units.<ref>{{cite web|author =|url=https://www.702.co.za/podcasts/120/the-best-of-weekend-breakfast/319616/reviewing-ami-fakus-album|title=Reviewing Ami Faku's Album |publisher=702.co.za|date=|last=|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/ami-faku-sun-el-musicians-hit-into-ingawe-now-double-platinum/|title=Ami Faku & Sun El Musician's Hit Into Ingawe Now Double Platinum|date=May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/entertainment/2020-12-16-ami-faku-on-cloud-nine-as-she-rakes-in-accolades/|title=Ami Faku on cloud nine as she rakes in accolades|website=SowetanLIVE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/ami-faku-and-sun-els-ingawe-goes-double-platinum-sa|first=Simphiwe|last=Mbambo|publisher=www.musicinafrica.net|title=Ami Faku and Sun Els "Into Ingawe" goes double platinum - SA|date=2020-05-20|accessdate=2020-05-23|language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku's singles are multiple platinum and debut album certified gold |url=https://fakazanews.com/2020/12/16/ami-fakus-singles-are-multiple-platinum-and-debut-album-certified-gold/|last=Adejoy|date=16 December 2020|work=Fakaza News}}</ref>
On 27 September 2020, her debut studio album ''Imali'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku Delivers a Stellar Debut Album with 'Imali' - OkayAfrica|url= https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/ami-faku-delivers-imali-album-2640791142|first=Sabelo|last=Mkhabela|date=30 September 2020|work=OkayAfrica}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zalebs.com/top-of-the/ami-faku/ami-faku-earns-to-spot-of-deezer-s-most-streamed-female-artist-in-2019|title=Ami Faku Earns Top Spot Of Most Streamed Female Artist On Deezer In 2019|website=ZAlebs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://briefly.co.za/56851-ami-faku-number-1-streamed-sa-female-artist-deezer-2019.html|title=Ami Faku number 1 most-streamed SA female artist on Deezer in 2019|first=Denika|last=Herbst|date=March 11, 2020|website=briefly.co.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/ami-faku-number-1-most-streamed-south-african-female-artists-on-deezer-in-2019/|title=Ami Faku Number 1 Most-Streamed South African Female Artists on Deezer in 2019 »|date=March 12, 2020}}</ref>
On 21 August, she released her [[Extended Play|EP]] titled ''EA Wave Reimagines''.
On 31 October, her single with Wichi 1080 "Never Let you go" was released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku & Wichi 1080 - Never Let You Go
|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/music/ami-faku-wichi-1080-drop-new-song-never-let-you-go/|date=October 31, 2020|work=Ubetoo|first=John |last=Jabulani}}</ref>
===2021–present: New projects===
On 22 January, she released a single "Lala Ngoxolo" featuring South African rapper [[Emtee]].<ref>{{cite news|location=South Africa |work=News24|url=https://www.news24.com/amp/drum/celebs/news/ami-faku-on-new-single-lala-ngoxolo-and-her-upcoming-second-album-20210205|title=Ami Faku on new single Lala Ngoxolo and her upcoming second album {{!}} Drum
|date=5 February 2021|first=Alutho|last= Mbendeni}}</ref>
In September 2021, Ami was featured on  "[[Abalele]]" by [[Kabza de Small]] and [[DJ Maphorisa]]. The song debuted number 4 on Spotify Charts.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 10 Best Amapiano Songs of 2021 - OkayAfrica|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/top-amapiano-songs-2021-2656044474| work=OkayAfrica| access-date=2022-05-11|first=Nadia |last=Neophytou}}</ref>
In early October 2021, she was featured with singer Sha Sha on [[Nomfundo Moh]] single "[[Phakade Lami]]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nomfundo Moh: Ami Faku and Sha Sha collabo was a surprise gift|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/nomfundo-moh-ami-faku-and-sha-sha-collabo-was-a-surprise-gift-7bab92ac-6424-4d0b-b8f2-89fe02990351| access-date=2022-02-02| publisher= Independent Online  |date=2021-11-20|first=Shingai |last=Darangwa}}</ref> That same month, Ami made collaboration on ''African Lullabies Part 1'' compilation album by Platoon.<ref>{{cite web|date=2021-10-04|title=Ami Faku, Msaki, TRESOR, others feature on Platoon's African Lullabies album -|url= https://museafrica.com/2021/10/04/ami-faku-msaki-tresor-others-feature-on-platoons-african-lullabies-album/| website=museafrica.com| access-date=2022-05-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SA: Platoon celebrates Kids Music Day with release of African Lullabies album {{!}} Music In Africa| access-date =2022-05-12|first=Ano|last=Shumba|date= 2021-10-01|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-platoon-celebrates-kids-music-day-release-african-lullabies-album}}</ref>
In November 2021, she made collaboration with Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa on a single "Asibe Happy" released.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tweeps clap for Kabza De Small and Maphorisa for releasing 'Asibe Happy' 'on time'|url= https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-11-12-tweeps-clap-for-kabza-de-small-and-maphorisa-for-releasing-asibe-happy-on-time/| work=TimesLIVE| access-date=2022-05-11| first=Constance |last=Gaanakgomo| date=2021-11-12}}</ref>
Faku released "Fatela" on 28 October 2022 together with Aymos. The song was certified platinum in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/23835/at-aymos-shilis-fatela-reaches-platinum-status-surpasses-2-million-views | title=Aymos's Fatela' Reaches Platinum Status & Surpasses 2 Million Views }}</ref>
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
*''[[Imali]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iminathi.net/ami-faku-imali-album/|title=Ami Faku Imali Album|work=iminathi|last=Mike|first=Steven|date=26 September 2019 |access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref>
===EP's===
* ''EA Wave Reimagines'' (2020)
===As lead artist===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[Entertainment Monitoring Africa|ZA]]<br />
|-
! scope="row" | "Ndikhethe Wena"
| 2018
|
|
| rowspan=4|''Imali''
|-
! scope="row" | "Ubuhle Bakho"
| rowspan=7|2019
|
|
|-
! scope="row" | "Inde Lendlela"
|
|
|-
! scope="row" | "Mbize"
|
|
|-
! scope="row" | "Love Drunk"
|
|
|{{non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" |"Ndiyeke" (Lemon & Herb, Ami Faku)
|
|
|{{non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Regrets..."(Zoocci Coke Dope, Ami Faku)
|
|
|{{non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "[[Into Ingawe]]" (Sun-El Musician, Ami Faku)
| —
| RiSA: 2× Platinum <ref>{{cite web|title=Ami Faku and Sun-El's Into Ingawe goes double platinum in SA {{!}} Music In Africa |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/ami-faku-and-sun-els-ingawe-goes-double-platinum-sa| publisher=Music In Africa | first=Butchie|last=Seroto|access-date =2023-11-27|date=2020-05-20}}</ref>
|{{Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Khonza" (Kekelingo, Ami Faku)
|2020
|
|
|{{non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Sihlobo Sami" (Kenza, Ami Faku)
|2021
|
|
|{{non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Fatela" (Ami Faku and [[Aymos]])
| rowspan=4|2022
|
|Platinum<ref>{{cite web | url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/23835/at-aymos-shilis-fatela-reaches-platinum-status-surpasses-2-million-views | title=Aymos's Fatela' Reaches Platinum Status & Surpasses 2 Million Views }}</ref>
|{{N/A|Non-album single}}
|-
! scope="row" | "There is Music in the Air" (Ami Faku, Black Coffee)
|
|
|''Gallo Remixed''
|-
! scope="row" |"Umthandazo" (Karyendasoul, Ami Faku)
|
|
|''WL4OM''
|-
! scope="row" |"Zimbali" ([[Prince Kaybee]], Ami Faku)
|
|
|''Gemini''
|-
! scope="row" | "Andikayeki" (Heavy-K, Ami Faku)
|2023
|
|
|{{N/A|Non-album single}}
|}
=== As featured artist===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[Entertainment Monitoring Africa|ZA]]<br />
|-
! scope="row" |"[[Phakade Lami]]" (Nomfundo Moh featuring Ami Faku and Sha Sha)
|2021
|1
|6× Platinum
|''[[Amagama]]''
|-
! scope="row" | "Makwande" ([[Sun-El Musician]], Fk Mash featuring Ami Faku)
|2022
|
|
|''AEDM:Interstellar''
|-
! scope="row" | "Unozala" (Kenza, Ami Faku, Msaki featuring Sun-El Musician)
|2024
|—
|
|{{non-album single }}
|}
=== Guest appearances ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:14em;" |Title
! scope="col" |Year
! scope="col" |Other artist(s)
! scope="col" |Album
|-
! scope="row" |"Uyathandeka"
|rowspan=5|2020
|[[Mthunzi]]
|''Selimathunzi''
|-
! scope="row" |"Hamba Ngifike"
|Simmy
|''[[Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars)]]''
|-
! scope="row" |"Uleleni"
|Black Motion
|''[[The Healers: The Last Chapter]]''
|-
! scope="row" |"iLanga"
|Sun-El Musician, Simmy
|rowspan=2|''[[To the World & Beyond]]''
|-
! scope="row" |"Goduka"
|Sun-El Musician, Mthunzi
|-
! scope="row" |"I Like it Anyway"
|2021
|Sun-El Musician
|''[[African Electronic Dance Music]]''
|-
! scope="row" |"Esikhathini"
|2022
|Murumba Pitch, Sun-El Musician
|''Horumar''
|-
! scope="row" |"Ndisize"
|2024
|Caiiro
|''Caiiro''
|}
== Other charted and certified songs ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|[[Entertainment Monitoring Africa|ZA]]<br />
|-
! scope="row" |"Ndisize" (Caiiro, Ami Faku)
|2024
|1<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Streaming Chart Top 10|url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/charts/|access-date=2024-11-01|work=The Official South Africa Charts}}</ref>
|
|''Caiiro''
|-
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Results
! {{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|2020
|rowspan="3"|[[26th South African Music Awards|26th SAMA]]
|Female Artist of the Year
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/life/ami-faku-bags-best-female-year-award-samas|title=Ami Faku bags Best Female of the Year award at the SAMAs &#124; eNCA|website=www.enca.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/ami-faku-aka-benjamin-dube-receive-top-honours-at-sama26-night-4-a958fbdc-58bc-411f-8fd3-0889cc7f0d15|title=Ami Faku, AKA, Benjamin Dube receive top honours at SAMA26 night 4|website=www.iol.co.za}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/drum/celebs/news/ami-faku-on-her-sama-win-i-have-no-limitations-the-world-has-a-lot-to-offer-this-is-just-the-beginning-20200812|title=Ami Faku on her Sama win, the financial effects of Covid-19 and new music|first=Alutho|last=Mbendeni|website=Drum|date=22 May 2020 }}</ref>
|-
|Newcomer of the Year
|{{nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/2020-south-african-music-awards-samas-winners/|title=Here's a List of the 2020 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) Winners|website=okayafricasite}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailysun.co.za/Celebs/and-the-sama-nominees-are-20200715|title=AND THE SAMA NOMINEES ARE...|website=DailySun}}</ref>
|-
|Best Afro Pop Album
|{{nominated}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/pic-of-the-day/2020-07-16-samas-boss-unfazed-by-snub-of-hitmakers/|title=Samas boss unfazed by snub of hitmakers|website=SowetanLIVE}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|2020
|rowspan="2"|African Muzik Magazine Awards
|Best Newcomer
|{{nom}}
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{cite web|title=African Muzik Magazine Awards 2020: All the winners {{!}} Music In Africa |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/african-muzik-magazine-awards-2020-all-winners|first= Gabriel Myers|last=Hansen|date=16 November 2020|publisher=Music In Africa}}</ref>
|-
|Best Female Southern Africa
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|2021
|rowspan="3"|Saafma
|Best Female Artist Award
|{{cancelled}}
|rowspan="3"|<ref>{{cite web|last=Patience Bambalele|date=7 May 2021|language=en|title=Star-studded list of nominees for 2021 South African Afro Music Awards |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/entertainment/2021-05-07-star-studded-list-of-nominees-for-2021-south-african-afro-music-awards/|website=Sowetan LIVE}}</ref>
|-
|Best Song of the Year
|{{cancelled}}
|-
|Best Rising Star
|{{cancelled}}
|-
|2023
|Content Creator Awards
|Song of the Year
|{{nom}}
|
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0003770899|name=Ami Faku}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faku, Ami}}
[[Category:1993 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Xhosa people]]
[[Category:South African pop singers]]
[[Category:South African women pop singers]]
[[Category:21st-century South African women singers]]
[[Category:South African singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Nelson Mandela University alumni]]
[[Category:Xhosa-language singers of South Africa]]