Ami Faku

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Amanda Faku, known as Ami Faku, was born in 1993 in the township of eZinyoka near Port Elizabeth in South Africa. By the age of six she already loved music and sang in church choirs, including in the home church where her father was pastor. She cites influences from church, reggae and hip hop. In 2012 she began recording, with a producer who lived a few streets from her home.

Music and breakthrough

Her breakthrough came in 2017 as a contestant on the second season of The Voice SA. She did not win, but she did sign a contract with the label The Vth Season. Her first single was Ndikhethe Wena. She then worked with De Mogul SA on Ungowam, and in 2020 uWrongo by DJ Prince Kaybee, with Shimza and Black Motion, was released. The collaboration with Sun-El Musician on Into Ingawe followed. In 2019 her debut album Imali came out, which debuted at number one in South Africa. It was certified gold by RiSA. In 2020 the newspaper Mail & Guardian put her on its list of two hundred young South Africans.

Influence

Her music lies close to the South African house scene, with a warm, soulful voice over electronic rhythms. She sings mainly in Xhosa. She shows how a singer from the township can reach a large audience through a television competition.

Listening

• 
  Asibe Happy · Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa feat. Ami Faku, 2019
  Apple Music ↗

Discography

Studio albums

• 2019Imali

See also

• Amapiano