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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 “African M.I.A.” with “a touch of Chloe Bailey”. 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 with her signature clear-toned vocals.
Additionally, she has performed at numerous festivals such as Afrofest and Francophonie En Fête 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 Toronto’s 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.
Find out more about Amanie in the interview below:
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this with us, First off, Who’s Amanie Illfated, Kindly tell our readers how you would describe yourself.
I am a South Sudanese-born recording artist who loves to mix up genres and tell stories through music.
What first got you into music and when did you decide to pursue music as a career.
I’ve always known that I loved music. The time I knew for sure that I wanted to pursue it was when I was 4 years old and I saw Celine Dion on TV. I didn’t know exactly what she was doing but I knew that I wanted to do that too!
How would you describe your sound?
I think my music would best be described as a cinematic mashup. I grew up with so many sounds – from Soukouss to pop to golden rock and everything in between, so I didn’t really understand where one genre ended and the other began and that reflects in my music.
Has your style of music evolved since the beginning of your musical journey?
Through my journey, I’ve felt a lot more liberated, free to experiment, and more comfortable writing about my own story. Every new song allows me to explore new sounds with great musicians and producers and writers.
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what are your influences, and also tell us which musician do you look up to and who would you like to collaborate with?
I’ve always looked up to M.I.A. and Celine Dion. Both artists have really shown that there is no limit to music, style, and ability. I would love to collaborate with M.I.A. one day!
Describe your creative process, how do you find inspiration to create music.
I always say that ideas and music just fall from the sky and into my head. I could be anywhere walking on the street, on a plane, eating dinner with friends – and an idea or words will strike me and I pretty much have to stop anything I am doing and record.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life & How did you learn to sing/write?
Music was an escape for me, but it was also just as ingrained in me as breathing. Every memory I have has a song or sound tied to it. I’d practiced singing in my closet as a child and as I grew, I would read the dictionary and practice writing an entire story in short lines.
You mentioned you began your musical journey at a young age, what drew you closer to music?
When my family got a computer in the basement of the house, I would sneak on just after bedtime and stay on the computer till 4 or 5 am just producing beats and learning how to manage my career.
Do you create for yourself or for your fans?
The music I make always starts with myself and then I tweak it to make it for my fans.
What’s the best song you’ve ever released and what makes it your best.
As of now, I would say The Hills. I never thought it could impact so many people. Every time I perform it live and I see everyone clapping along and humming the chorus, it absolutely humbles me.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
The best parts are producing/recording the music and performing it live for everyone. My least favorite part? I wish sleep didn’t exist so I could do music for all 24 hours in a day!
Any high points in your career so far?
Touring internationally, releasing new tracks, and meeting fans are high points for me, but the one that completely stunned me was when I won Best R&B Artist of the Year 2021 by South Sudan Music Awards. It was just so incredible to be recognized by my own country and represent South Sudan in the music industry.
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Do you have any projects out?
I released my album SATURN in 2019. It was the most exhilarating and chaotic thing I’ve done so far. The number of ups and downs it took to put out that album still shocks me to this day. It was the best feeling to be able to finally put out the album for all of my fans.
Tell us a little bit about your upcoming project, what motivated you to create this project.
My next album called DIVINE is coming spring 2022 and I’ve never been so anxious to release music like this. I was stifled for ideas for the album for years during the lockdown until I got the opportunity to go to many countries in Africa including South Sudan. Suddenly, I was struck with so many ideas that I had to put together a massive team in order to get the album done before spring! It’s an album about self-realization, but with a fun, deep, and carefree touch.
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What’s your most recent song out now.
My most recent single Higher is a very motivating track. I was asked to write something uplifting by producer, B.Morales, and his publisher for a singing competition show. When I wrote the song, I wanted to part with it quickly. The track wasn’t accepted for the competition, however, B.Morales still wanted to work on it. We recorded it. I went through a really dark time during the pandemic and ironically that was the song that got me through that entire ordeal which assured me that it needed to be released!
where do you see yourself in a few years to come.
Knowing me, I’ll probably find myself in some random country performing while producing another wild project with some really incredible musicians and producers!!
What is, or has been the most challenging part of your career.
I would say it is the lack of support from family, however, I think that actually propelled me to go even further.
Amanie, thank you so much for joining us, Any last words you’d like to share?
I can’t wait to share the album DIVINE with you!!!
