Nandy is a singer and songwriter who's been downed with the title of being the best female artist in East Africa. She has shown this with the number of accolades that she's won over the years.
Nandy was born to Mary Charles, who was a tailor and Charles Mfinanga, a mechanic. Many had always wondered how she got the name 'Nandy' and she revealed that this was shortened version of her real name 'Nandera'.
From a very young age, she knew that she wanted to be a musician. When she was only 5 years of age she became an active member of the Sunday school choir at the KKT Lutheran church in Moshi.
Nandy Education
For her primary education, Nandy attended at Mawenzi Primary School. She then furthered her education at Lomwe High School where she became the head of the school choir.
Later on, Nandy enrolled at the College of Business Education (CBE) in Dar es Salaam.
Nandy Marriage
In 2020, Nandy got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Bill Nass.
“We’ve been together ka kipindi kirefu sana tumepitia vitu vingi vizuri na vibaya. Najua upande wako mbaya, najua upande wako mzuri but nimechagua pande zote mbili nakupena sana na ninatamani dunia nzima ijue so leo itakuwa siku nzuri sana kupropose. I love you,” said Bill Nass before putting the ring on her finger.
When Nandy stepped into the music industry she immediately became everybody's favourite. It was only when a friend introduced her to Ruge Mutahaba, the CEO of Tanzania House Talent, that her career kicked off. She alsomet Emma the Boy who helped her produce her debut single that she titled 'Nagusagusa'. The song became an instant hit as it kept receiving positive reviews.
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She took part in singing competition 'Tecno Own The Stage' in 2016 which was held in Lagos, Nigeria. She emerged as the first runner-up at the end of the competition and by then she had learned so much about the music industry. She also had gained so much performance confidence as she had the industry's greatest mentors; M.I Abaga, Yemi Alade and Bien of Sauti Sol.
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In 2017, she released her single, 'One Day' and this gave her the opportunity to beone of the few artists who participated in Coke Studio Africa that same year. The following year she released her album, 'The African Princess'.
Nandy kept proving that she's force to be reckoned with as she kept on releasing hit after hit. She has released songs such as Aibu, Hazipo, Kivuruge, Ninogeshe, Halleluya, and Kiza Kinenge. In 2020 she released the hit single, 'Kata'. She also released a banger with Bill Nass and it was an instant hit.
Her time in the music industry and having released great hits here are some awards and nominations she received over the years.
2017 - Best Female Artist East Africa at the All Africa Music Awards (Won) 2018 - Best Female Newcomer at the AMI Awards Afrika 2020 - Best Female Artist in East Africa at AFRIMMA Awards (Nominated) 2020 - Best Female Artist at the Africa Entertainment Awards USA (Nominated)
In 2018, Nandy found herself on the wrong side of the law and had to face the consequences. She was detained for posting a video clip of herself and another musician via WhatsApp that the authorities considered "indecent".
In 2015, Tanzania became more socially conservative since the election of President John Magufuli. The government tightened regulations on online content, imposing licence fees for bloggers and threatening internet users with criminal charges for posting hate speech or indecent content.
The songstress's video featured her and her ex-boyfriend canoodling in bed while Nandy recorded a candid video. For that, Nandy was considered to have broken the law and she was arrested.
Nandy is the Goodwill ambassador in Tanzania for UNICEF's water, sanitation and hygiene programme (WASH). This is to help improve water and sanitation services as well as hygiene practices in in over 100 countries where the campaign was initiated. The programme also focuses on providing people with clean water and they build toilets for them.
Nandy's career is far from over and she is set on being the best version of herself in this cut throat industry. Fans can't wait to see what she has in store next.
