Emmanuel Andrews Sammini (born 22 December 1982, in

Accra Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population of ...

Ghana Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...

), known by his stage name Samini (formerly as Batman Samini), is a

Ghanaian The Ghanaian people are a nation originating in the Gold Coast (region), Ghanaian Gold Coast. Ghanaians predominantly inhabit the Republic of Ghana and are the predominant cultural group and residents of Ghana, numbering 34 million people as of ...

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its Jamaican diaspora, diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay", was the first ...

and

dancehall Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots reggae, roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2 ...

recording artist from Wa,

. His

genre of music A music genre is a conventional category that identifies some pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions. Genre is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are sometim ...

is a melodious mixture of high life,

dance hall Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for Dance, dancing, but usually refers to a specific type of twentieth-century venue, with dance clubs (nightclubs) becoming more popular towards the end of the century. The palais de danse was a term ap ...

and

hip-hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hi ...

. He terms his brand of music " African dance hall". He signed his first record deal with Ashanti International. Samini started his record label after he left the aforementioned label. Samini has released seven studio albums, with all being highly successful on the commercial market. Samini's success and recognition began when his first single, Linda, was released and subsequently appearing on other successful singles by other artists. On 13 December 2018, Samini was en-skinned as a Chief in his home town. The title given to him by the WaNaa (Paramount Chief of Wa) is `Pebilii Naa’, which means `King of the Rocks’ in Wa. Samini holds a bachelor's degree in Project Management from

Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) is a public co-educational university spread over four campuses (Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Takoradi) and made up of six schools, ten research centers located at Greenhill in Accra ...

(GIMPA). He served as President of GIMPA Students Representative Council (SRC) during his final year at the institution. After completion, Samini had his first major performance at the 'Re-ignition Concert' at the

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum is located in downtown Accra, the capital of Ghana. Over the years, the park has attracted visitors from around the world, with an annual count of approximately 98,000 individuals who visit to pay h ...

in Accra. He said that "it felt great, it's a good way to come back, it's a good way to get started again after a three and a half year break of active music."

Background information

Sammini started singing in a church choir at the age of 14 and became a professional musician after a musical collaboration with another musician in 1999. His debut studio album, ''Dankwasere'', was released in 2004; it topped the local music charts for weeks and won two awards at the

Ghana Music Awards The Ghana Music Awards, also known since 2024 by the sponsored name Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), formerly Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), is an annual music awards event in Ghana established in 1999 by a local event organizer and p ...

. The album was supported by the single "Linda". He has performed alongside

Sean Paul Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques (born 9 January 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall musician. Paul's first album, ''Stage One'', was released in 2000. He gained international fame with his second album, ''Dutty Rock'', in 2002. Its single "Get Busy ...

Akon Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam (born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon (), is a Senegalese-United States, American singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, businessman, and philanthropist. An influ ...

Kevin Little Kevin Little (born April 3, 1968) is a former American athlete, who specialized in sprints. He won the 200-meter race in the 1997 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Paris, France. He won bronze in the same event in 1989, 1993, and 1999 IAAF ...

Shaggy Shaggy may refer to: People *Shaggy (musician) (born 1968), Jamaican American reggae rapper and singer *Shaggy 2 Dope, half of the hip hop, horrorcore band Insane Clown Posse *Shaggy Flores (born 1973), Nuyorican poet, writer and African diaspora ...

Wayne Wonder Von Wayne Charles (born 26 July 1972), better known by his stage name Wayne Wonder, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. His most popular single is the 2003 hit " No Letting Go". Biography Early life Wonder was born in Buff Bay, Portla ...

Damian Marley Damian Robert Nesta “Jr. Gong” Marley (born 21 July 1978) is a Jamaican reggae musician. The second youngest child of Bob Marley, he is the recipient of four Grammy Awards. Early life, education and family Marley is the youngest son of leg ...

Beenie Man Moses Anthony Davis OD (born 22 August 1973), professionally known as Beenie Man, is a Jamaican dancehall deejay. His awards include DJ of the Year Award eight years in a row. His twelfth studio album '' Art and Life'' received a Grammy Award ...

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

Chaka Demus & Pliers Chaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican reggae duo made up of deejay Chaka Demus (born John Taylor) and singer Pliers (born Everton Bonner), known for their hits " Tease Me" and " Murder She Wrote". As a duo, they enjoyed more commercial success ...

, Culture ( Joseph Hill), and

Steel Pulse Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, and were composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ro ...

. He collaborated with Steel Pulse and

Etana Etana (, ''E.TA.NA'') was the thirteenth king of the first dynasty of Kish, according to the ''Sumerian King List''. He is listed as the successor of Arwium, the son of Mashda, as king of Kish. The list also calls Etana "the shepherd, who asc ...

from

Jamaica Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...

. He has received international recognition and toured the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands. He received international recognition when he won the "Best African Act" at the 2006

MOBO Awards The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Ba ...

. After releasing his second self-titled studio album, ''Samini'', he won three awards at the then 2007

Vodafone Ghana Music Awards The Ghana Music Awards, also known since 2024 by the naming rights, sponsored name Telecel Ghana, Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), formerly Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), is an annual music awards event in Ghana established in 1999 by a ...

. In February 2008, Samini won the "African Artiste of the Year" award at

The Headies The Headies (originally called the Hip Hop World Awards) are honors established in 2006 by ''Hip Hop World Magazine'' to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established a ...

. His third studio album, ''Dagaati'', was released in 2008. After launching his 7th studio album on 22 December 2018 titled UNTAMED he won the Reggaeville 2018, Album of the Year.

Personal life

Samini was born to Mr G.A. Samini and Theresa Nusala, who were residing in Dansoman when Samini was only 9 years old. The names of his children are Haile Micaiah Yidaana Gansonye Samini, Ayana Samini, Toyila Samini, Emmanuel Andrew Tafari Samini Jnr, and Yelisung Samini.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Dankwasere'' (2004) * ''Samini'' (2007) * ''Dagaati'' (2008) * ''C.E.O'' (2010) * ''Next Page'' (2013) * ''

Breaking News Breaking news, also called late-breaking news, a special report, special coverage, or a news flash, is a current issue that warrants the interruption of a scheduled broadcast in order to report its details. News broadcasters also use the term ...

'' (2015) * '' Untamed'' (2018)

Singles

* Tsoobi featuring Rowan, Senario & Razben * Good Vibes SAMINI is the biggest artist and performer in Ghana and in Africa at the moment.

Videography

Awards and nominations

MOBO Awards The MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin, also known as the MOBOs) are an annual British music award presentation honouring achievements in " music of black origin", including hip hop, grime, UK Drill, R&B, soul, reggae, jazz, gospel, and Ba ...

, - , rowspan="1", 2006 , rowspan="1", Himself , Best African Act ,

The Headies The Headies (originally called the Hip Hop World Awards) are honors established in 2006 by ''Hip Hop World Magazine'' to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established a ...

, - , rowspan="1", 2010 , rowspan="1", Himself , Best African Act ,

Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video A ...

, - , rowspan="1", 2011 , rowspan="1", Himself , Most Gifted Reggae Dancehall Video Artist ,

Bass Awards

, - , rowspan="3", 2013 , rowspan="3", Himself , Kwame Nkrumah Award (Artiste of the Year) , , - , Best Performer(Reggae/Dancehall) , , - , Best Dancehall Artiste ,

MTV Africa Music Awards The MTV Africa Music Awards (also known as the MAMAs) were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa (now Viacom International Media Networks Africa) to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. The 2008 and 2010 events took plac ...

, - , rowspan="1", 2009 , rowspan="1", Himself , Best Performer ,

Ghana Music Awards The Ghana Music Awards, also known since 2024 by the sponsored name Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs), formerly Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs), is an annual music awards event in Ghana established in 1999 by a local event organizer and p ...

, - , Rowspan="2", 2005 , Rowspan="2", Himself , Artiste of the Year , , - , HipLife Artist of the Year , , - , Rowspan="3", 2007 , Rowspan="3", Himself , African Magic Artiste of the Year , , - , Pop Song of the Year , , - , Record Song of the Year , , - , Rowspan="1", 2011 , Rowspan="1", Himself , Album of the Year , , - , Rowspan="3", 2021 , Rowspan="3", Himself , Reggae Dance-hall Song of The Year , , -

Nominations

* 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards 2006 – Best African Act * 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Performer *Black Canadian Awards 2014– Best International Act *Ghana Music Awards 2014– Artist of the Year * Ghana Music Awards 2014– Reggae Dance hall Song (scatter bad mind) *Ghana Music Awards 2011– Artist of the Year *Ghana Music Awards 2011 – Afro Pop Song of the Year *Ghana Music Awards 2011– Album of the Year *Ghana Music Awards 2012– Reggae Song of the Year *IRWM Awards- Best African Entertainer *Bass Awards 2013– Most Popular Dance hall Song *Bass Awards 2013– Best Collaboration (Time Bomb ft wiz kid) *Bass Awards 2013– Best Dance hall Music Video *MOAMA Awards 2010– Best African album *Ghana DJ Awards- Song of the Year 2010 *Ghana Music Awards UK 2018 – Reggae/Dance hall song of the year *Ghana music awards UK 2019-Special recognition award *Ghana Music Awards 2020-Reggae/Dance hall artist of the year *Ghana Music Awards 2021- Reggae/Dance hall song of the year

References

External links

* {{Authority control Living people 1982 births Musicians from Accra Ghanaian highlife musicians The Headies winners Ghanaian reggae musicians Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration alumni 21st-century Ghanaian musicians