Mamii
{{distinguish|text="Mamiii", a 2022 reggaeton song performed by Becky G and Karol G}}
{{short description|American singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Mamii
| birth_name = Shawntoni Ajanee Nichols
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|04|13}}
| birth_place = Gary, Indiana, United States
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul|jazz|funk rock}}
| label = Roc Nation
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|producer|multi-instrumentalist}}
| background = person
}}
Shawntoni Ajanee Nichols, better known by her stage name Mamii, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist, best known for her contributions to Beyoncé album Cowboy Carter, co-writing ¥$ single "Talking", as well as her contributions to Kehlani album Crash.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-beyonce-ever-burn-down-the-barn|title=Beyoncé Won't Burn Down the Barn with "Cowboy Carter"|first=Doreen|last=St Félix|date=April 1, 2024|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=February 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223100819/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/can-beyonce-ever-burn-down-the-barn|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/beyonce-cowboy-carter-credits-producers-songwriters-2024-4#camaron-ochs-known-mononymously-as-cam-cowrote-ameriican-requiem-protector-daughter-tyrant-and-amen-2|title=Beyoncé worked with a variety of artists to make 'Cowboy Carter.' Here are 12 collaborators you may have missed.|first=Callie|last=Ahlgrim|website=Business Insider|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=May 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520174011/https://www.businessinsider.com/beyonce-cowboy-carter-credits-producers-songwriters-2024-4#camaron-ochs-known-mononymously-as-cam-cowrote-ameriican-requiem-protector-daughter-tyrant-and-amen-2|url-status=live}} She is currently signed to Roc Nation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rocnation.com/music/mamii/|title=Mamii - Roc Nation|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=December 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225121432/https://www.rocnation.com/music/mamii/|url-status=live}}
In addition to her work behind the scenes, Nichols is also a solo artist blending R&B, jazz, and funk-rock.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-05/beyonce-cowboy-carter-credits-miley-willie-nelson-dolly-parton/103668560|title=Cowboy Carter came together with a little help from Beyoncé's many friends|first1=Al|last1=Newstead|first2=Janine|last2=Marshman|date=April 4, 2024|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=April 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424093943/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-05/beyonce-cowboy-carter-credits-miley-willie-nelson-dolly-parton/103668560|url-status=live}} She is influenced by Prince, Jacob Collier, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Frank Ocean, Willow Smith, and more.{{Cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/mamii-black-phoeniix/|title=Mamii - Black Phoeniix|date=March 8, 2021|first=Amelia|last=Lloyd|website=Clash|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=June 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613173736/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/mamii-black-phoeniix/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://notion.online/black-phoeniix-mamii/|title=Mamii Delivers Deluxe Version of 'Black Phoeniix'|first=Josephine|last=Amstad|date=September 16, 2021|website=Notion|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=April 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416120224/https://notion.online/black-phoeniix-mamii/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelunacollective.co/journal/qa-mamii|title=Q&A: Mamii Creates Soulful, Heartfelt Genreless Tunes As A Space To Reflect & Grow|website=The Luna Collective|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=January 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114180810/https://www.thelunacollective.co/journal/qa-mamii|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sofarsounds.com/artists/mamii|title=Mamii|website=Sofar Sounds|access-date=March 9, 2025|archive-date=December 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225115348/https://www.sofarsounds.com/artists/mamii|url-status=live}}
Career
= Early life =
Nichols grew up in a musical family, and began to learn to show interest in music after her brother started producing beats. A self-taught musician, she eventually learned to play the acoustic guitar and bass from YouTube videos. She started singing as a child in the church choir, and was inspired by the Clark Sisters, Kirk Franklin, and gospel vocal group Take 6.
=''Black Phoenix''=
In 2021, Nichols released debut major-label project Black Phoenix to acclaim. In a review for music publication Clash, writer Amelia Lloyd praised the daring, unconventional genre experimentation and "genre-weaving inspiration[s]". "The creative decisions in the creation of this album are just right. ‘Black Phoeniix’ feels rich and complete, a spectacular offering from a young upcoming creative. Contemporary polyrhythms and textured harmonies take this album from classic R&B to a new level. The youth of the genre are flipping the switch." A deluxe version of the project (titled Black Phoenix: The Rebirth) was released several months later with three additional tracks.
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Black Phoenix (2021)
- Black Phoenix: The Rebirth (2021)
=Extended Plays=
- 18 (2019)
- Not an EP (2019)
- Phantasmagoria (2024)
=Guest Appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:31em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row"|"So Good" (Background Vocals)
|2019 |
|---|
| scope="row"|"Nonchalant"
|rowspan="4"|2022 |rowspan="3"|Westside Boogie |rowspan="3"|More Black Superheroes |
| scope="row"|"Float" |
| scope="row"|"Somethin Strange" {{small|(with Kalan.FrFr)}} |
| scope="row"|"CYBAH" {{small|(with Lucky Daye; background vocals)}}
|Syd |
| scope="row"|"Pulp Jam"
|2023 |Cruza |Paranoia Pack |
| scope="row"|"Chapel" (background vocals)
|2024 |
=Selected songwriting & production credits=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:31em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Artist ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row"|"Prideful II"
|rowspan="5"|2022 |rowspan="2"|Westside Boogie |rowspan="2"|More Black Superheroes |
|---|
| scope="row"|"Anthony (War)" |
| scope="row"|"Fast Car"
|rowspan="3"|Syd |rowspan="3"|Broken Hearts Club |
| scope="row"|"Sweet" |
| scope="row"|"Out Loud {{small|(featuring Kehlani)}} |
| scope="row"|"My Rose"
|rowspan="10"|2024 |rowspan="3"|Beyoncé |rowspan="3"|Cowboy Carter |
| scope="row"|"Bodyguard" |
| scope="row"|"Flamenco" |
| scope="row"|"Talking"
|¥$ |
| scope="row"|"GrooveTheory"
|rowspan="5"|Kehlani |rowspan="2"|Crash |
| scope="row"|"Sucia" {{small|(featuring Jill Scott and Young Miko)}} |
| scope="row"|"Love Like"
|rowspan="3"|While We Wait 2 |
| scope="row"|"Let Me Down" (San Diego Interlude) |
| scope="row"|"Ballin'" |
| scope="row"|"I Used To" {{small|(featuring Baby Rose)}}
|rowspan="2"|Leon Thomas |Mutt |
| scope="row"|"Heel"
|2025 |MUTT Deluxe: Heel |
References
{{reflist}}
Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters
Category:People from Gary, Indiana
Category:Singer-songwriters from Indiana
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century American women singers
Category:Musicians from Gary, Indiana
Category:People from Hammond, Indiana
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