With Amanie Illfated
Amanie lives in Toronto now, but she grew up in Regina after arriving here in 1992 with her family from what is now South Sudan. She honed her singing and dancing chops in numerous local choirs and dance troupes, and left for Toronto at age 16 to pursue a music career. In August, the R&B, reggae and Afropop artist released her debut album Saturn. The first single, “The Hills”, has been getting international airplay, and on Nov. 23 Amanie is performing at The Owl at the University of Regina. Here are six songs she considers favourites. /Gregory Beatty
“My Only Friend” / Phantogram / Voices (2014)
The first time I heard this song, I cried my eyes out. It has this optimistic hope to it although it is very dark. Phantogram is brave to be so raw and poetic like this!
“All Night Long” / Beyonce / Lemonade (2016)
Making up never sounded so good! Her voice is so soulful and sweet in this. All the instruments and the beat just make me dance uncontrollably.
“Paper Planes” / M.I.A. / Kala (2007)
M.I.A. is one of my childhood heroes. When this song came out, it went on my playlist and NEVER left. Side note: it’s not a karaoke night if I don’t perform this track.
“Click Clack”/ Just John X Dom Dias / Single (2019)
I saw Just John and Dom Dias perform in Toronto in 2018 and I’ve been hooked since. I have a hard time resisting dirty 808s and a good flow. I constantly try to find places to blast this!
“Lights On” / FKA Twigs / LP1 (2014)
I’m a big fan of crazy instrumentation and FKA Twigs never fails to deliver. Her voice is so delicate, yet strong against everything that is going on with this track. It’s hard to explain…
“Spoon Me” / Elliphant feat Skrillex / Living Life Golden (2016)
This is the track I love to blast on the highway or before dance class. Skrillex’s productions are incredible and Elliphant’s vocals are sooo good!!!