Emmanuel Andrews, known in Showbiz as Samini, was born 22 December 1981 in Accra, Ghana to Ghanaian parents Mr G.A Samini and Theresa Nusala.
Formerly called Batman Samini), is a Ghanaian Reggae and Dance hall recording artiste from Wa in the Upper West region-Ghana.
He had his basic and primary education at Holy Family Basic School and then continued at St Magaraet Mary Sec school, Dansoman for his secondary education.
His genre of music is a melodious mixture of high life, dance hall, reggae and hip-hop. He terms his brand of music as the “African dance hall”.
He started singing in a church choir at the age of 14 and became a professional musician after a musical collaboration with another musician in 1999. His debut studio album, Dankwasere, was released in 2004; it topped the local music charts for weeks and won two awards at the Ghana Music Awards.
He signed his first record deal with Ashanti International. Samini started his record label after he left the aforementioned label.
Samini has released seven studio albums, with all being highly successful on the commercial market. Samini’s success and recognition began when his first single, Linda, was released and subsequently appearing on other successful singles by other artists.
The album was supported by the single “Linda”. He has performed alongside Sean Paul, Akon, Kevin Little, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Damian Marley, Bennie Man, Jay-Z, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Culture (Joseph Hill)(of Blessed Memory) and Steel Pulse.
He collaborated with Steel Pulse and Etana from Jamaica. He has received international recognition and toured the UK, Germany, Italy, Canada, and the Netherlands.
He received international recognition when he won the “Best African Act” at the 2006 MOBO Awards. After releasing his second self-titled studio album, Samini, he won three awards at the then 2007 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. In February 2008, Samini won the “African Artiste of the Year” award at The Headies.
His third studio album, Dagaati, was released in 2008. After launching his 7th studio album on 22 December 2018 titled UNTAMED he won the Reggaeville 2018, Album of the Year.
On 13 December 2018, Samini was en-skinned as a Chief in his home town. The title given to him by the WaNaa (Paramount Chief of Wa) is `Pebilii Naa’, which means `King of the Rocks’ in Wa.
Samani, has received the following Nominations
2006 MTV Europe Music Awards 2006 – Best African Act
2008 MTV Africa Music Awards – Best Performer
Black Canadian Awards 2014– Best International Act
Ghana Music Awards 2014– Artist of the Year
Ghana Music Awards 2014– Reggae Dance hall Song (scatter bad mind)
Ghana Music Awards 2011– Artist of the Year
Ghana Music Awards 2011 – Afro Pop Song of the Year
Ghana Music Awards 2011– Album of the Year
Ghana Music Awards 2012– Reggae Song of the Year
IRWM Awards- Best African Entertainer
Bass Awards 2013– Most Popular Dance hall Song
Bass Awards 2013– Best Collaboration (Time Bomb ft wiz kid)
Bass Awards 2013– Best Dance hall Music Video
MOAMA Awards 2010– Best African album
Ghana DJ Awards- Song of the Year 2010
Ghana Music Awards UK 2018 – Reggae/Dance hall song of the year
Ghana music awards UK 2019-Special recognition award
