Amanaz
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 in Kitwe, Zambia |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Headquarters | Kitwe , Zambia |
| Products | Music albums |
Amanaz was a Zamrock ensemble established in 1973 in Kitwe, Zambia. Their only album, titled Africa, was released in 1975. Drawing inspiration from late 1960s to early 1970s American and British rock—most notably Jimi Hendrix—combined with traditional Zambian music, their distinctive style is characterized by Watson Lungu’s percussion and Keith Kabwe’s vocal delivery.
The band's name stands for "Ask Me About Nice Artistes in Zambia". Former members include Keith Kabwe, Isaac Mpofu, John Kanyepa, Jerry Mausala, and Watson Lungu.
History
Amanaz recorded their album Africa in 1973 at Malachite Film Studios located in Chingola. Initially issued as an LP in 1975, the album saw re-releases by Germany’s Shadocks Music in 2008 and the U.S. label Now-Again Records in 2015. Out of the twelve tracks, three are performed in the Bemba language, while the remainder are sung in English.
This album continues to serve as a seminal work within the Zamrock genre. Music journalist Nate Patrin described it as simultaneously "behind and ahead of its time," capturing a timeless quality. Critic Mark Deming praised its "rich, blues-infused rhythms layered with a potent psychedelic vibe and dense fuzz guitar textures."
The group dissolved in 1976. Following the breakup, Keith Kabwe formed the brief-lived band Drive Unit. By 2014, Kabwe had become a Pentecostal pastor based in Mbala, Zambia, where he was involved with gospel music projects.
Their song "Khala My Friend" has been featured across various television series and films, including Rick Alverson’s The Comedy (2012), TBS’s People of Earth (2016), HBO’s High Maintenance (2016), and Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso (2021).
In 2023, American rapper Travis Scott sampled their track "Nsunka Lwendo" from Africa on his song "Sirens" from the album Utopia.
Discography
- Africa (1975)