Nandy | |
|---|---|
 Nandy on stage at the Fiesta Concert in Dodoma, Tanzania, 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Faustina Charles Mfinanga |
| Born | November 9, 1992 (age 31) Mawenzi, Moshi,  Tanzania |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Spouse(s) | Bill Nass |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Labels |
|
Faustina Charles Mfinanga (born November 9, 1992), popularly known by her stage name Nandy is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born and raised in the town of Moshi, Tanzania in the Kilimanjaro Region. She won the All Africa Music Awards twice in the best female artist in East Africa category in 2017[1][2] and 2020.[3]
Nandy was born to Mary Charles, a tailor and Charles Mfinanga, a mechanic. The name Nandy is shortened from her traditional name Nandera. She started performing at a very tender age. At 5 years of age, she was an active member of her Sunday school choir at KKKT Lutheran church in Moshi. She attended Mawenzi Primary School and later joined Lomwe High School where she became the head of the School choir. After high school, she joined College of Business Education (CBE), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Her career in music kicked off when a common friend introduced her to Ruge Mutahaba, CEO of Tanzania House of Talent (THT). This is where she met Emma the Boy, who produced her first mainstream single, Nagusagusa. The song became a huge hit within a week of its release.
In early 2016 she participated in a singing competition called Tecno own the Stage. The contest featured contestants from all over Africa and during the finals in Lagos, Nigeria, Nandy emerged as the first runner-up. The competition groomed her well music-wise, as she gained performance confidence, and also acquired essential knowledge of the music industry from the musical tutors and mentors such as Chocolate City's M.I Abaga, Yemi Alade and Bien of Sauti Sol.[4][5]
In 2017 she released her hit single One Day which spearheaded her career and gave her a couple of opportunities as she was one of the few artists who participated in Coke Studio Africa in 2017 and later the same year she was nominated in the All Africa Music Awards as best female eastern Africa and won.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
In January 2023, Nandy launched her own record label named "The African Princess" [12] and signed Yammi, who is the label's first signee [13]
Nandy owns a lipstick line called Shushi.
Nandy played herself in Huba, a series aired on Maisha Magic Bongo on DSTV.
She is currently Tanzania's Goodwill ambassador for UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene programme (WASH) that works in over 100 countries worldwide to improve water and sanitation services, as well as basic hygiene practices. The programme focuses on providing people with clean water and basic toilets.
In April 2018, Nandy and fellow Tanzanian singer, Bill Nass were briefly detained by the Tanzanian authorities for sharing what they considered as being indecent or obscene content online.[14]
In 2022 a series of leaked audio clips emerged in which a female voice believed to be that of Nandy, is heard instructing Mwijaku, Tanzanian socialite and radio presenter on how to compose a message that will discredit Zuchu over a past endorsement deal that she (Zuchu) declined.[15]
| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Work/Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | All Africa Music Awards[1][2] | Best Female Artist East Africa | Nandy | Won |
| 2018 | AMI Awards Afrika[21] | Best Female Newcomer | Nandy | Won |
| 2020 | 2020 African Entertainment Awards USA[22] | Best Female Artist | Herself | Won |
