Frida Amani Bakula (born August 4, 1995), known profesionally as Frida Amani, is a

Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...

, singer, songwriter,

environmentalist Environmentalism is a broad Philosophy of life, philosophy, ideology, and social movement about supporting life, habitats, and surroundings. While environmentalism focuses more on the environmental and nature-related aspects of Green politics, g ...

, activist, and

Media personality Celebrity is a condition of fame and broad public recognition of a person or group due to the attention given to them by mass media. The word is also used to refer to famous individuals. A person may attain celebrity status by having great w ...

Early life

Frida Amani started her musical journey at the age of 7, where she showcased her talent in church performances. In 2014, she released her debut track “Watasubiri,” garnering attention on local radio stations in Arusha.

Breakthrough

Frida first gained national recognition in 2015 when she participated in the Bongo Star Search competition, finishing in third place. During the competition, her performance of Joh Makini and G Nako's song Nusu Nusu showcased her rap style. Following her success on Bongo Star Search, Frida took a two-year break from music to pursue a career in broadcasting. She worked as a presenter for East African Radio on the show Planet Bongo and later moved to Clouds Media to present Bongo Flava contents.

Career

Transitioning to broadcasting in 2016, Amani joined Radio 5

Arusha Arusha is a city in Tanzania. The city is the Capital city, capital of the Arusha Region. It has a population of 617,631 people.

, hosting an entertainment program before moving to East Africa Radio in

Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam (, ; from ) is the largest city and financial hub of Tanzania. It is also the capital of the Dar es Salaam Region. With a population of over 7 million people, Dar es Salaam is the largest city in East Africa by population and the ...

. There, she hosted “The Cruise,” temporarily sidelining her music pursuits. In June 2018, Frida made her comeback to music with the single Jibebe featuring G Boy, a song that reintroduced her in the Tanzanian music scene. Jibebe received extensive airplay across

, solidifying Amani's status as a prominent rapper and radio personality. Her rap style is known for its simplicity yet depth, as she often writes about her life experiences. She is particularly passionate about advocating for women's rights and inspiring other female rappers. In 2021, Amani released “Madam President,” a song advocating female empowerment and encouraging young women to aspire for leadership roles, including the presidency. The track got her invitated to perform at the

State House State House or statehouse may refer to: Buildings *Aso Villa or State House, the official residence of the President of Nigeria *Government House, Dominica or The State House, the official residence of the President of Dominica * State House, Bar ...

, where she was recognized by the President of Tanzania as the “Madam President” of rap. Amani’s contributions extend beyond music, as she has also made significant strides in environmental activism and advocacy. Her multifaceted career has earned her recognition from major media outlets, leading to her recruitment by Clouds Media, where she currently hosts two programs, “Amplifaya” and “Bongo Fleva,” dedicated to nurturing musical talent in Tanzania.

Influence and advocacy

Frida Amani is also recognized for her advocacy for women in hip-hop. She has revolutionized the rap industry in Tanzania, helping to pave the way for more female artists in a male-dominated space. Despite the financial challenges associated with the music industry, Frida remains passionate about rap, viewing it as more than just a source of income. Her commitment to empowering women through her music and career makes her a significant figure in Tanzanian and East African music. In May 2024, Frida Amani represented

at the 6th World Youth Summit in

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, organized by TRT WORLD FORUM. The summit brought together young leaders from across the globe, with Africa represented by Tanzania,

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

, and

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. Amani participated in a panel alongside Nigerian comedian Maryam Apaokagi and Palestinian artist

Malak Mattar Malak Mattar (; born 17 December 1999) is a Palestinian painter, illustrator, and author of children's books. She is from Gaza. Early life and education Mattar was raised in Gaza City. Her father's family is from Ashkelon, and he is a former me ...

, discussing the role of art and culture in driving societal change. She highlighted how

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 ...

can challenge stereotypes and empower communities, encouraging youth to use their talents for positive impact.

Personal life

Frida Amani grew up admiring rappers such as Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill, and Albert Mangwea, with Mangwea being one of her most significant influence. She decided to pursue music as her full-time career after high school, despite her family's desire for her to study finance. With her family's support, she was able to follow her dream and make a name for herself in the music industry. Frida continues to inspire young female rappers in Tanzania and across East Africa, using her platform to uplift women in the entertainment industry.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amani, Frida Tanzanian Bongo Flava musicians Tanzanian radio presenters Tanzanian women rappers Living people Tanzanian women activists Women radio presenters People from Arusha District 1995 births