Recently, The Scoove Africa had a nice “chat” with Amanie Illfated where we asked her about her upcoming album, her sound resonation to the world and her dream collaborations.
Amanie Illfated (pronounced ah-MAH-nee eel-fay-ted) is an award winning South Sudanese born international recording artist who incorporates her personal experiences growing up as a refugee in Canada to deliver powerful messages of empowerment.
She has been described as the âAfrican M.I.A.â with âa touch of Chloe Baileyâ.
Her music consists of thought-provoking lyrics that are mixed with dynamic R&B synths and fused with rhythmic reggae, afropop and trap inspired drums and are combined.
Here is our interview with Amanie Illfated {This interview has been modified for reading purpose}
TSA
Hi Amanie. How are you doing? Nice to finally meet you!
Amanie Illfated
Wonderful to meet you too!
TSA
We will be asking you questions about your music and your upcoming album.
Amanie IllfatedÂ
Amazing!
Nigerian artists with highest monthly listeners on spotify (April 2022)
TSA
Your Genre of music is Pop, but I’d like to go more specific and ask what kind of pop music it is.
You know, it’s like how there is Afrobeats, and then, there is Afrofusion…etc
Amanie IllfatedÂ
I would say that my music is very close to Afropop since I mix a lot of African elements in with Pop
TSA
That’s interesting
I’ve listened to your music and I have to say that there is a strong influence of soul music, especially “Higher”.
If you don’t mind me asking, does this have anything to do with your experience of being a refugee in Canada?
Amanie Illfated
Yes, a lot of my writing comes from impactful experiences that I’ve gone through, and definitely shows up in my music
TSA
I have to say that you have amazing vocals.
Did you know you were going to be a singer since childhood?, or it’s just an art that found you?
Amanie Illfated
Thank you! I never really knew that I would wind up being a singer.
I just knew that I loved music so much, and loved recording, producing and getting on stage.
As I continued, the singing really developed and luck created the career I am in.
TSA
Oh wow.
I’m gonna talk about your upcoming album, but before I do that, I wanna ask which artist(s) influences you and why?
Amanie Illfated
The biggest artists to influence me are Celine Dion for her vocals and stage presence and M.I.A. for her authenticity and we share very similar experiences
TSA
Wow. That’s really interesting.
Well, which Continental and international artists would you like to collaborate with?
Amanie Illfated
Within Canada, I would say Lexxicon and Getchnah. In South Sudan, I’m definitely interested in collaborating with Silver X and John Frog and internationally, I’d have to say Dynamq and M.I.A.
Hopefully one day we can make it happen!
TSA
I hope you do! I love that you sound very intentional with these collaborations
Tell me about your upcoming album and how it will be different from your debut album “Saturn“
Amanie Illfated
My upcoming album DIVINE is in a way a continuation of the story of SATURN. I would call it the arrival to motherland.
It’s filled with many deep and fun tracks about my experiences in Africa and how they correlate with my experiences in Canada.
It’s very vibrant and eclectic.
Also, majority of the album is in Arabic-Juba and English with a touch of Kakwa.
TSA
Hmnn. Have you decided on a release date?
Amanie Illfated
Right now, we are looking at June 3rd (so long as I don’t keep adding more tracks)! {Laughs}
TSA
I understand that about artists. {Laughs}
Amanie Illfated
Yes. Us artists are very odd sometimes! {Laughs again}
TSA
Oh, I wouldn’t say that though {Smiles}. That’s the reason there is music to serve as a form of expression.
You are currently working independently. What record label would you love to be signed to?
Amanie Illfated
I would looove to be signed to XL Recordings! So many great, unique artists are signed to them. It would be a dream come to true to be among them!
TSA
From your mouth to God’s ears!
Amanie Illfated
Amen to that!
TSA
If you had the chance, would you like to collaborate with any Nigerian artiste, and if yes, who would that be?
Amanie illfated
Davido, 2Baba and Tiwa Savage
TSA
Woah..that’s a hot lineup!
Thank you very much for telling us deets about your music and your upcoming album, It was a great pleasure having you.
Amanie Illfated
Thank you too! This was really fun!
About Amanie Illfated
Amanie Illfated eleased her genre bending album âSATURNâ in October 2019 containing multilingual tracks like âThe Hillsâ and âYou Will Never Knowâ.
Her music has been played on various international radio shows including CBCâs Fresh Air and she has performed on Rogers TV for talk show ‘Men 101’ and on CTV Morning Regina.
Amanie has been showcased and interviewed in magazines such as Canadian Musician and Prairie Dog Magazine.
Additionally, she has performed at numerous festivals such as Afrofest and Francophonie En FĂȘte and at well known venues such as ModClub and Yonge & Dundas Square, at South Sudan Unite 2019 Minneapolis held former NBA Player Luol Deng and at Hollywood North Torontoâs 5th Annual TIFF Gala alongside Just John.
She has also shared the stage with highly acclaimed artists P.Square, Dynamq, Emmanuel Jal, NOYZ and Kobo Town.
Amanie won Best R&B Artist of the Year at the 2021 South Sudan Music Awards.
She has also received 2 nominations by African Entertainment Awards for Best Female Artist and Musician of the Year by South Sudanese ACE Awards.
She has worked with producers and engineers B.Morales, JT Aylward, Satnam Singh Chatha (5 Rivers Entertainment), and Caroline Akwe (LK Collective) as well as a collaboration on âYou & Meâ with South Sudanese artist Yaba Angelosi (Assida Records).
You can follow Amanie Illfated on Instagram, and Twitter.
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