Songstress Yamikani Janet Banda, popularly known as Lady Zamar, chats to us about her love for music. By Fundiswa Nkwanyana Picture by Marx Written Makhado
I chose Lady Zamar as my stage name because of its profound meaning. In Hebrew, Zamar means praising God in music. I adopted that part because my real name is Yamikani, which means praise. The Lady part is what poets always called each other in the poetry societies that I frequented.
I started singing to entertain myself. I grew up in a family that loves music. So without really thinking about it, I started expressing myself musically and singing all the time. I also wrote songs to unwind. People around me noticed my talent and encouraged me to pursue a career in music. I am now known for my musical melodies in popular house songs such as My Baby and Love are Blind.
I create music that speaks to people’s hearts and souls. Each listener relates to a song based on an emotion or experience that they are going through. This makes it a personal journey. I love connecting with people through music.
I’m grateful for the growth of my career. In March 2017, I released my album titled King Zamar and in November, I released the deluxe version of the original album with four additional songs. I’m also honoured to have worked with talented musicians such as Prince Kaybee and Lulo Café, among others. I’m grateful that I get to perform my music to people who appreciate it.
My plan is to continue singing and doing what makes me happy. Right now, I’m focusing on honing my musical skills and growing my brand. I’m grateful that people love my music, and that I have a great support system.
