WHEN Lady Zamar first opened her mouth to sing, she was told she sounded like a mouse or a cat.
“Those remarks built me because I became obsessed with music and determined to succeed,” she said.
Today Lady Zamar, whose real name is Yami Janet Banda, is well known for her hit song Love is Blind from the album King Zamar.
Yami said she has a love affair with the song.
“I had to choose between the first songs I wrote without any supervision. I chose Love is Blind because it embodied my identity.”
The song has been number one on many charts since its release in December.
“It is among the 100 most downloaded music choices in Mzansi. It is also one of the top 50 most played songs and number one on iTunes in Lesotho,” said proud Yami.
“I feel wonderfully blessed. It is an honest song and that is why it tops the charts.”
Yami said her music is pop dance. “It is fun, real and intercontinental. It is positioned in the right way all over the world to be listened to.”
She is also known for the song Mamelodi, which she sees as a thank you to kasi people.
Yami said she used to mimic singers like Jennifer Lopez and Brenda Fasie.
“My father had many of Brenda Fassie’s tapes and I know all her songs by heart. I sang them at primary school.”
Her first professional recording included Runaway, Soul Mate and Monster in 2012 and 2013 with Junior Taurus.
Yami, born in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni and raised in Pretoria West, studied creative writing and English at Unisa.
Apart from music, Yami runs Project Me, which empowers the youth. “Everyone needs someone higher than themselves who they believe can keep them moving forward and never giving up on their dreams.”
