Azana (singer)
{{Short description | South African singer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Azana
| honorific_suffix =
| image =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name = Makhosazana Princess Masango
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|09|13|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Chesterville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = Afro-pop
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
}}
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active =
| label = Big City Dreams
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
}}
MMakhosazana Princess Masango (born 13 September 2000), professionally known as Azana is a South African singer and songwriter.{{cite web|title=Azana Biography: Who Is the Durban-Born Rising Musical Artist?|url=https://buzzsouthafrica.com/azana-biography-who-is-the-durban-born-rising-musical-artist/ |date=2021-11-11|first= Romeo |last=Ndlovu| access-date=2022-03-20}} Born and raised in Chesterville, her musical career began at the age of 15. Having signed a record deal with Big City Dreams, Azana's debut studio album Ingoma (2020), debuted number one in South Africa. Its lead single "Your Love" was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
Career
In early April 2020, Azana was collaborated on a single "Uhuru" by South African DJ Sun-El Musician.{{cite web|title=Sun-EL Musician's Upcoming Song "UHURU" Gets A Release Date
|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/sun-el-musicians-upcoming-song-uhuru-gets-a-release-date/|work=Ubetoo|first=John|last=Jabulani|date=6 April 2021}}{{cite web|title=Sun-El Musician Previews Upcoming Album "Uhuru", With Single Featuring Azana |url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/sun-el-musician-previews-upcoming-album-uhuru-with-single-featuring-azana/|work=Ubetoo|date=14 July 2020|first=John |last=Israel A}}
Her breakthrough single "Your Love" was released in May 2020, produced by Taffy Da Don.{{cite web|title=Azana wants to be queen of SA music| first=Emmanuel |last=Tjiya| date=2021-07-31 |work =The Sowetan|location=South Africa| access-date =2022-04-01|url-access= subscription |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/amp/entertainment/2021-07-30-azana-wants-to-be-queen-of-sa-music/}} The song was commercial success certified double platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA).
Her debut studio album Ingoma was released on 17 July 2020.{{cite web|title=Azana Announces Her Arrival in the Industry With New Album, "Ingoma"|url=https://www.zkhiphani.co.za/azana-announces-her-arrival-in-the-industry-with-new-album-ingoma/|first= Mandisa |last=Ntsinde| access-date=2022-03-20}} The album peaked at number 1 on Apple Music Pop Chart.{{cite web|title=Azana's debut album, INGOMA, the #1 Pop album in the country|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2020/07/azanas-debut-album-ingoma-the-1-pop-album-in-the-country/amp/| publisher=SA Music Magazine | access-date=2022-03-20}}{{cite web|title=Apple Music Shines The Spotlight on Durban Singer Azana - Blazon Magazine | publisher =Blazon Magazine| access-date =2022-03-20|url=https://www.blazonmagazine.co.za/apple-music-shines-the-spotlight-on-durban-singer-azana/amp/|date=2020-08-07}} It features Afriikan Papi, Disciples of House, and Sun-El Musician.
At the 27th ceremony of South African Music Awards Ingoma was nominated for Best Afro Pop Album and Newcomer of the Year.{{cite web|title=Singer Azana loves music but wants to have law by her side |url=https://www.iol.co.za/amp/the-star/news/singer-azana-loves-music-but-wants-to-have-law-by-her-side-b062df35-c52f-418e-b883-f04bfd937df1| work= Independent Online | access-date=2022-03-20 |first= Mpiletso|last= Motumi |date=2021-07-02}}{{cite web|title=Songstress Azana chats about her Sama nomination and career|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2021-07-30-songstress-azana-chats-about-her-sama-nomination-and-career/| publisher=Times LIVE|location=South Africa| access-date=2022-03-20|first=Joy|last=Mphande| date=2021-07-30}}
She made collaboration on Platoon's compilation album African Lullabies Part 1, in October 2021.{{cite web|date=2021-10-04|title=Ami Faku, Msaki, TRESOR, others feature on Platoon's African Lullabies album -|url= https://museafrica.com/2021/10/04/ami-faku-msaki-tresor-others-feature-on-platoons-african-lullabies-album/| website=museafrica.com| access-date=2022-05-12}}{{cite web|title=SA: Platoon celebrates Kids Music Day with release of African Lullabies album {{!}} Music in Africa| access-date =2022-05-12|first=Ano|last=Shumba|date= 2021-10-01|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-platoon-celebrates-kids-music-day-release-african-lullabies-album}}
Azana's single "Higher" was released on 3 December 2021.{{cite web|title=Azana releases new single, Higher - SA Music Magazine|url=https://samusicmag.co.za/2021/12/azana-releases-new-single-higher/amp/| publisher=SA Music Magazine| access-date =2022-03-24}}
In early August 2023, Azana announced her studio album Igagu.{{cite web|title=Women’s Day: Azana on surrounding herself with strong women who uplift her|work=Independent Online|access-date=2023-08-29|first=Oluthando|last=Keteyi| date =2023-08-09|url=https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/mind/womens-day-azana-on-surrounding-herself-with-strong-women-who-uplift-her-47edfa7c-bd5a-4467-89f3-2f7b1a12a8f2}} The album was released on October 27, 2023.{{cite web|title=Azana Is Ready To Conquer The World With Her Sophomore Album ‘IGAGU’ {{!}} Slikouronlife |access-date=2023-10-28|date=2023-10-27|work=Slikouronlife|url=https://slikouronlife.co.za/blog/25707/azana-is-ready-to-conquer-the-world-with-her-sophomore-album-igagu}}
Azana and Sam Deep released their collaborative extended play Kwakhanya, on June 7, 2024.{{cite news|location=South Africa |url=https://www.snl24.com/drum/celebs/news/sam-deep-and-azana-hold-hands-in-spiritual-ep-kwakhanya-20240607 |title=Sam Deep and Azana hold hands in spiritual EP, Kwakhanyayo {{!}} Drum |publisher=SNL24|access-date=2024-06-10|language=en-ZA|url-access=subscription |date=2024-06-07|first=Keamogetswe|last=Matlala}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- Ingoma (2020)
- Uhuru (2021)
- Igagu (2023)
- Kwakhanya (2024)
=As lead artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Ngize Ngifike" (featuring Sun-El Musician)
| rowspan=2|2020 | — | rowspan=2|Ingoma |
| scope="row" | "Your Love"
| — | RiSA: 2× Platinum |
| scope="row" | "Nguwe" (Azana and Lowsheen)
| rowspan=4|2023 | — | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Shona Malanga" (featuring Amahle)
|— | |rowspan=3|Igagu |
| scope="row" | "Sifanelene" (Azana, Mthunzi)
| — | |
| scope="row" | "Never The Same"
| — | |
| scope="row" | "For a Reason" (Azana, Major League DJz)
|rowspan=3|2024 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Love" (Azana, Mpho.Wav)
|— | |Book of Wav |
| scope="row" | "Shona Phansi"
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Amacala Othando" (Big Zulu, Azana, Malungelo)
|2025 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
=As featured artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Inkumbulo" (Prince Kaybee featuring Azana)
|rowspan=3|2023 |— | |rowspan=2|Music Theory |
| scope="row" |"Amaphiko Ezono" (Prince Kaybee featuring Azana)
|— | |
| scope="row" |"Yena Forever" (King Monada featuring Azana, Mack Eaze)
|— | |{{N/A|Non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Other charted and certified songs
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" |"BoGogo" (Azana, Sam Deep)
|2024 |8{{cite web|title=TOP CHARTS THIS WEEK : Local Streaming |url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za |access-date=2024-07-27|work=The Official South African Charts}} | |Kwakhanya |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azana}}
Category:South African pop singers
Category:South African women pop singers
Category:South African women singer-songwriters
Category:South African singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century South African women singers