Amanda Benedicta Antony, known to her fans as Amanda Black was born and bred in Eastern Cape in the city of Mthatha. The 22 yr. old Singer- Songwriter was born on the 24 of July 1993. Having moved around a lot throughout her childhood, Amanda is true child of the soil, having lived in both the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg. Her musical influences are a result of her exposure to different ways of life having attended a number of primary schools and high schools as her family moved. She completed her high school studies in Port Elizabeth at Kabega Christian School and matriculated in 2011.
For her Tertiary education Amanda enrolled at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth where she took up a course in Music studies, Amanda says her mother insisted that she had to study further and the natural option to study to her was of course her greatest passion. She Graduated in 2015 with a Diploma in Music Education. She started singing at a very young age; she recalls performance requests from family at the age of 6: like many musicians her singing talent was first explored at church.
It was only at the age of 12 that she started publicly performing, – taking part in talent searches and owning any opportunity to be on stage and perform. The self-taught guitarist’s family noticed her passion for singing but they were not aware that one-day she would choose it as a career path. The persistent youngster entered South African Idols in 2015 after not making it 2 times before, she tried again and as faith may have it, she made it to the top 16 and further made it to the top 10 ending up in 7th position.
After graduating, Amanda moved to Johannesburg in January 2016 to further pursue her musical aspirations. As destiny may have it, Ambitiouz Entertainment scouted Amanda within 4 months of her move. The bubbly and passionate youngster is now signed to the record and management label. Fresh from signing, the inspired artist went straight into studio and recorded her first single “Amazulu”. Produced by the Lunatik, whose behind some of SA’s biggest hits (KO – Caracara and Ameni By Miss Pru), Amazulu is a fusion of African inspired beats with soul music and strong lyrical content with a powerful voice that makes this song a hit in its own category in the industry. The single was released for free download on 1 July 2016 and has since received over 53 000 downloads. Amazulu is receiving massive response from radio stations across the country since its release beginning July. The Future Amanda is excited about the future.
Following the release of her debut single, she is focused on recording more music and surprising the country as she grows in her music career. “This whole experience is surreal for me, I am living my dream. Ambitiouz Entertainment saw something in me that I am yet to discover. I’ve always believed that talent can take you so far and a great team can take that further. I’m blessed to be living my dream. And now the real hard work begins as I build from this point onwards”. We had a chat with her, check it out:
