‘I Love My Blackness'
Drum English|30 March 2017

She’s the toast of the music scene, but Amanda Black didn’t always feel comfortable in her skin. She talks about accepting herself and making good music.

Khosi Biyela
‘I Love My Blackness'

IF AT first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again, the saying goes – and no one knows the value of perseverance better than this rising South African star.

Drawing inspiration from American singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, who had her fair share of rejection and disappointment before she became a superstar, Amanda Black shook off a three-time failure on Idols SA to become an award-winning musician.

Many would have thrown in the towel and given up their musical dreams but this tough 23-year-old hung in there and now has an inspiring tale to tell about her triumph over adversity.

Last year she dropped her debut album, Amazulu, and it turned her world upside down, selling more than 40 000 copies and reaching platinum status in its first three weeks.

“I used to tell my mother I wanted to sing just like Whitney Houston and perform on big stages around the world,” she says. “I always knew I was going to be a singer, but I didn’t expect in one year I would become Amanda Amazulu!”

And then came the awards: She won big at the recent Metro FM Music Awards, scooping Best R&B Album and the prestigious Listener’s Choice award.

“I was standing in the crowd when they said my name, but I was sure I heard them call someone else. After a few seconds it hit me that I’d actually won.”

IT WASN’T easy being ousted from Idols SA – especially after the third time-lucky charm didn’t pay off. Amanda made it into the Top 10 on her last try in 2015 and was eliminated in seventh place, but she refused to let it get her down for long.

“When I got home I went on the internet to see who else had been eliminated in seventh place and had still made it big. It turns out Jennifer Hudson was once in the same boat!” she says.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 30 March 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 30 March 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DRUM ENGLISH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Homegrown Heroes
Drum English

Homegrown Heroes

Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
The Big Clean Up
Drum English

The Big Clean Up

Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I'm Back & Better!
Drum English

I'm Back & Better!

Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
Not An Easy Ride
Drum English

Not An Easy Ride

Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Drum English

Mam' Mary Bows Out

Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
‘They Lived For Each Other'
Drum English

‘They Lived For Each Other'

This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too

time-read
6 dak  |
9 July 2020
Stranger Than Fiction
Drum English

Stranger Than Fiction

For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I Was Raped By A Pastor
Drum English

I Was Raped By A Pastor

His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
My Fight With Life And Death
Drum English

My Fight With Life And Death

More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
I AM ENOUGH
Drum English

I AM ENOUGH

Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020