Ghanaian dancehall musician
Samini |
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| Birth name | Emmanuel Andrews Samini |
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| Also known as | Samini, Batman Samini |
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| Born | (1982-12-22) 22 December 1982 (age 41)
Accra, Ghana |
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| Origin | Dansoman, Accra, Ghana |
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| Genres | Dancehall, reggae, hip-life |
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| Occupation(s) | Rapper, raga, singer, actor, entrepreneur |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals, Acoustic |
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| Years active | 1999–present |
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| Labels | High Grade Family |
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Musical artist
Emmanuel Andrews Sammini (born 22 December 1982, in Accra, Ghana),[1] known by his stage name Samini (formerly as Batman Samini), is a Ghanaian reggae and dancehall recording artist from Wa, Ghana.[1][2] His genre of music is a melodious mixture of high life, dance hall, reggae and hip-hop.[3] He terms his brand of music "African dance hall".[3] He signed his first record deal with Ashanti International. Samini started his record label after he left the aforementioned label.[4][5]
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.[6][7][8][9]
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.[10]
Samini holds a bachelor's degree in Project Management from Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). He served as President of GIMPA Students Representative Council (SRC) during his final year at the institution.[11]
After completion, Samini had his first major performance at the 'Re-ignition Concert' at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum 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.'[12]
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.[13] The album was supported by the single "Linda". He has performed alongside Sean Paul, Akon, Kevin Little, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Damian Marley, Bennie Man, Jay-Z, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Culture (Joseph Hill)(of Blessed Memory) and Steel Pulse. He collaborated with Steel Pulse and Etana from Jamaica. He has received international recognition and toured the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.[14]
He received international recognition when he won the "Best African Act" at the 2006 MOBO Awards.[15] After releasing his second self-titled studio album, Samini, he won three awards at the then 2007 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.[16][17] In February 2008, Samini won the "African Artiste of the Year" award at The Headies.[18] His third studio album, Dagaati, was released in 2008.[13][19] After launching his 7th studio album on 22 December 2018 titled UNTAMED he won the Reggaeville 2018, Album of the Year.[20]
