Lady Zamar

Lady Zamar
Birth name	Yamikani Janet Banda
Born	(1995-06-19) 19 June 1995 (age 30) South Africa
Origin	South African
Genres	Dance House Pop Afropop
Occupations	Singer Writer Author Artist
Instrument	Vocals
Years active	2016–present
Labels	Universal Music South Africa

Yamikani Janet Banda, professionally known under the alias of Lady Zamar, is a South African singer, songwriter and author. ^[1]

Career

2015-2016: Lady Zamar & Junior Taurus, Cotton Candy

Lady Zamar and Junior Taurus met in 2011. ^[2] On October 14, 2015, their debut album Cotton Candy was released. ^[3] The album produced three singles, including "Mamelodi", "Run Away" and "Pitori".

At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Cotton Candy was nominated for Duo/Group of the Year and Best Dance Album. ^{[4] [5]} Soon after its release, Lady Zamar decided to pursue a solo career.

2017-present: Solo projects, King Zamar, and Monarch

Lady Zamar's first solo album, King Zamar , was released in March 2017. ^[1] In February 2018 the album was certified gold, ^{[6] [7]} and in June 2019 it was certified double platinum. ^{[8] [9]}

In 2017, Lady Zamar won the Song of the Year Award at the DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards for her song "Charlotte", produced by Prince Kaybee. ^[1] At the 24th South African Music Awards she won the award for Best Dance Album. ^[10] On 11 March 2018, she headlined the Vivo Nation Festival. ^[11]

On 9 August 2018, National Women's Day, she performed at a concert dedicated to women, alongside fellow artists Mafikizolo and Sho Madjozi. ^[12]

Her second solo album Monarch was released on 21 June 2019. ^{[13] [14]}

At the 4th Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards in 2019, her single "This is Love" won Best House Single. ^[15]

In the first quarter of 2024, she announced and promoted her album titled Rainbow, dropping in April.

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions	Certifications
		ZA
Cotton Candy(with Junior Taurus)	Released: 14 October 2015 Label: Ca City Records Formats: Digital download	—
King Zamar	Released: 31 March 2017 Label: Universal Music Formats: CD, Digital download	—	RiSA: Platinum [16]
Monarch	Released: 21 July 2019 Label: Universal Music Formats: CD, Digital download	—
Rainbow	Released : 12 April 2024 Label: Universal Music Formats: CD, Digital download, Streaming	—

Awards and nominations

In her career as a solo artist, she has received several awards, including 5 SAMA awards, 1 Independent Music Award, 1 DMVCA, 2 Dance Awards, 1 Darling Award and Coolest Female Celebrity Award. ^[17]

Dance Music Awards South Africa

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2019	Herself	Best Female Vocalist	Nominated	[18]

References

1. "Lady Zamar, the rising star | IOL Entertainment" . Retrieved 15 September 2018.
2. Nkonyana, Ayanda (7 March 2018). "Lady Zamar: The Queen of house music | Truelove". News24. South Africa.
3. "Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar". Zalebs. 22 June 2020.
4. "All the nominees for the 2016 Samas | Channel". News24. South Africa. 21 April 2016.
5. Herimbi, Helen (1 June 2016). "Sweet dreams on Cotton Candy". Independent Online.
6. "Lady Zamar Certified Gold with Debut Album King Zamar! | Yule Dark". Yule Dark. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
7. "Lady Zamar's album goes gold | Bona Magazine". www.bona.co.za. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
8. Davis, Desere (23 June 2019). "Lady Zamar celebrates - she reached double platinum with 'King Zamar'". Briefly.
9. adejoy (23 June 2019). "Lady Zamar celebrates album, King Zamar's double platinum | Fakaza News". Fakaza News.
10. "[WATCH] Lady Zamar on winning Best Dance Album at the 2018 SAMAs". 8 June 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
11. "LADY ZAMAR IS READY VIVONATION". Daily Sun. 21 February 2018.
12. "Mafikizolo, Lady Zamar & Sho Madjozi Set To Headline Tribute To Women concert - SA Music Magazine". South African Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
13. "Lady Zamar Monarch Album". 20 June 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
14. Rethabile, Thandi (14 June 2025). "Lady Zamar – russian roulette Music Video". CeeMuzic. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
15. Reporter, Sun (2 December 2019). "MZANSI KWAITO AND HOUSE MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS!". Daily Sun.
16. "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa.
17. Neo Koza (8 June 2018). "[WATCH] Lady Zamar on winning Best Dance Album at the 2018 SAMAs".
18. "Dance Music Awards South Africa 2019: All the winners". Music in Africa. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2024.