# Ami Faku

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 SA season 2 in 2017, prior to getting recognition in the music industry.
After she signed a record deal with The Vth Season, Ami released her debut studio album Imali (2019), debuted number one in South Africa. It reached Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
Mail & Guardian, ranked Faku number 27 on 200 Young South African, in 2020.

## Life and career
### Early childhood

At the age of 6, Faku had developed a strong passion for music. 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.

### 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. Though she did not win, she was signed by The Vth Season record label.

### 2019–present: Imali, EA Wave Reimagines

Following her success on The Voice SA, she launched her debut single titled "Ndikhethe Wena". 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. The song was certified gold certification on Recording Industry of South Africa with sales of 25 000 units.
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). 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.
On 27 September 2020, her debut studio album Imali was released. 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.
On 21 August, she released her EP titled EA Wave Reimagines. On 31 October, her single with Wichi 1080 "Never Let you go" was released.

### 2021–present: New projects

On 22 January, she released a single "Lala Ngoxolo" featuring South African rapper Emtee.
In September 2021, Ami was featured on "Abalele" by Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa. The song debuted number 4 on Spotify Charts.
In early October 2021, she was featured with singer Sha Sha on Nomfundo Moh single "Phakade Lami". That same month, Ami made collaboration on African Lullabies Part 1 compilation album by Platoon.
In November 2021, she made collaboration with Kabza de Small and DJ Maphorisa on a single "Asibe Happy" released.
Faku released "Fatela" on 28 October 2022 together with Aymos. The song was certified platinum in South Africa.

## Discography
### Studio albums

* Imali (2019)

### EP's

* EA Wave Reimagines (2020)

### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Ndikhethe Wena" | 2018 | | | Imali |
| "Ubuhle Bakho" | 2019 | | | Imali |
| "Inde Lendlela" | 2019 | | | Imali |
| "Mbize" | 2019 | | | Imali |
| "Love Drunk" | 2019 | | | Non-album single |
| "Ndiyeke" (Lemon & Herb, Ami Faku) | 2019 | | | Non-album single |
| "Regrets..."(Zoocci Coke Dope, Ami Faku) | 2019 | | | Non-album single |
| "Into Ingawe" (Sun-El Musician, Ami Faku) | 2019 | — | RiSA: 2× Platinum | Non-album single |
| "Khonza" (Kekelingo, Ami Faku) | 2020 | | | Non-album single |
| "Sihlobo Sami" (Kenza, Ami Faku) | 2021 | | | Non-album single |
| "Fatela" (Ami Faku and Aymos) | 2022 | | Platinum | Non-album single |
| "There is Music in the Air" (Ami Faku, Black Coffee) | 2022 | | | Gallo Remixed |
| "Umthandazo" (Karyendasoul, Ami Faku) | 2022 | | | WL4OM |
| "Zimbali" (Prince Kaybee, Ami Faku) | 2022 | | | Gemini |
| "Andikayeki" (Heavy-K, Ami Faku) | 2023 | | | Non-album single |

### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Phakade Lami" (Nomfundo Moh featuring Ami Faku and Sha Sha) | 2021 | 1 | 6× Platinum | Amagama |
| "Makwande" (Sun-El Musician, Fk Mash featuring Ami Faku) | 2022 | | | AEDM:Interstellar |
| "Unozala" (Kenza, Ami Faku, Msaki featuring Sun-El Musician) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |

### Guest appearances

| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
| "Uyathandeka" | 2020 | Mthunzi | Selimathunzi |
| "Hamba Ngifike" | 2020 | Simmy | Tugela Fairy (Made of Stars) |
| "Uleleni" | 2020 | Black Motion | The Healers: The Last Chapter |
| "iLanga" | 2020 | Sun-El Musician, Simmy | To the World & Beyond |
| "Goduka" | 2020 | Sun-El Musician, Mthunzi | To the World & Beyond |
| "I Like it Anyway" | 2021 | Sun-El Musician | African Electronic Dance Music |
| "Esikhathini" | 2022 | Murumba Pitch, Sun-El Musician | Horumar |
| "Ndisize" | 2024 | Caiiro | Caiiro |

## Other charted and certified songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Ndisize" (Caiiro, Ami Faku) | 2024 | 1 | | Caiiro |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Results |
| 2020 | 26th SAMA | Female Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2020 | 26th SAMA | Newcomer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | 26th SAMA | Best Afro Pop Album | Nominated |
| 2020 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Newcomer | Nominated |
| 2020 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Female Southern Africa | Nominated |
| 2021 | Saafma | Best Female Artist Award | Cancelled |
| 2021 | Saafma | Best Song of the Year | Cancelled |
| 2021 | Saafma | Best Rising Star | Cancelled |
| 2023 | Content Creator Awards | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2025 | Metro FM Music Awards | Best Dance Song | Pending |
| 2025 | Metro FM Music Awards | Song of the Year | Pending |