AMANDA BLACK
HER RISE TO PLATINUM STATUS IN JUST WEEKS
In a digital world where music downloads are rife, Amanda Zulu did the impossible and went platinum in just three weeks after the release of her debut album, selling 30 000 copies. After just seven months in the limelight, the singer has made South Africa fall in love with her. Her massive hit single, debuted on Metro FM in July and immediately stole our hearts, rocketing Amanda to nominated artist and is vying for gongs in the Best Pop, Best Female, Best RnB, Best New Artist and Song of the Year categories. She didn’t expect any of this to happen so soon. Whatever the outcome, she says, she’s happy that her talent has been recognised.
“These awards will put me on a higher level in terms of spreading my name even more. They’ll open more doors for me. I’m really honoured.”
The Metros will be the musician’s first ever awards. “I used to watch them on TV and marvel at the artists getting their awards and saying their speeches, hoping that one day it would be me. If I win, I’ll invest the money. The lifespan of an artist isn’t guaranteed, so it’s important that as artists, we look at the business side of life.”
So, who is this music newbie with the enchanting voice? Amanda joins a long list of Eastern Cape-born successful artists, like Zonke Dikana and Nathi Mankayi, currently dominating the music industry. Born Amanda Benedicta Antony, she’s the older of two children. She has other siblings from her dad’s side and was raised by her mom, a lawyer who provided a loving home. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when she was a contestant on
and made it to the final seven. “I’m happy I didn’t win the competition,” says Amanda. “All of this wouldn’t be happening. I was obviously gutted when I had to leave. Facing rejection like that dented my confidence, but I went home and my mom was supportive and emphasised constantly how I should never doubt my voice.”
The Mthatha-born artist says that even as a child, she wanted to sing. There was no plan B, so she studied music education at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University after matric. Amanda mentions how she envisioned herself as an artist like the late, great Whitney Houston. “From early on, I would have this vision of seeing myself performing on a field and the flowers blooming as I sang.”
Needless to say, the vision is manifesting. “It feels great,” says Amanda. “It’s incredible how people have been so responsive. I don’t know how many gigs I did over the festive season, but I was surprised by it all.