Cindy Sanyu

Cinderella Sanyu
Cindy
Born
Kampala, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
OccupationMusician
Partner(s)Mario Brunetti (2007-2016);
Ken Muyiisa (2017-2018);
Okuyo Joel Atiku Prynce(2021–present)
Musical career
Genres
Years active2003–present
LabelsStar Maker ltd
Websitewww.cindysanyu.com

Cinderella Sanyu (professionally known as Cindy or Cindy Sanyu) is a Ugandan musician.[1] She was one of the original members of Blu*3, along with Lilian Mbabazi and Jackie Chandiru.[2] She has performed with P-Square, Wahu, Beenie Man, Ne-Yo, Tiwa savage, Bobi Wine, Shaggy, Chameleon, Bebe Cool, Davido, Mr. G and Radio & Weasel.[3]

Early life and education

Cindy was born in Kampala, Uganda,[4] but hails from Mbale district.[5]

Music

Cindy Sanyu performing in 2011

Cindy started singing when she was 6 in her local church at a small town called Ntinda. She took part in "Capital Radio All Stars talent search" when she was 16 years old.[6] She took third place. She worked with producer Steve Jean who made sure she participated in the "Coca-Cola Pop Stars" contest, which led to the formation of Blu*3 in 2003.[4] With Blu*3, Cindy found music success winning the Best Artist/Group from Uganda & Best Music Video from Uganda in the 2005 Kisima Music Awards, Video of the Year ("Hitaji") in the 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards[7] and Video of the Year ("Burrn") in the 2007 Pearl of Africa Music Awards[8] and being nominated for best East African Group in the 2005 Kora Awards,[9] Best East African Album (Hitaji) in the 2005 Tanzania Music Awards[10] Best East African Video ("Frisky") in the 2006 Channel O Music Video Awards,[11] Best Group & Best Performer in the 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards[12] and Best East African Song ('Where you are' with Radio & Weasel) in the 2010 Tanzania music awards.

Cindy was dropped from the group. In 2008,[13] she embarked on a solo career. Her debu solo album Ayokyayokya (2009) topped charts all over East Africa with hits like "Mbikooye" and "Nawewe", "Ayokyayokya", and "One and Only".[14] She has had more successful songs, like "Selekta".

Acting

Cindy got her debut film acting role as the lead in the Ugandan musical drama film Bella. Her performance earned her nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Young Actor, Africa Lead Role In Film (Non Nigerian) at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Actress at Uganda Film Festival Awards, all in 2018.[15][16][17]

She later worked on the film November Tear, released in 2019.[18]

Personal life

Cinderella Sanyu was in a relationship with Mario Brunetti and the relationship produced a daughter, Amani.[19] She got engaged to actor, producer and film director Joel Okuyo Prynce in March 2020 in Kampala.[20] She married Joel Okuyo Prynce on 11 December 2021.[21][22] She had a child with him.[23]

Leadership roles

Cindy is currently the Acting President of the Uganda Musicians' Association (UMA) after the resignation Ykee Benda as his deputy,[clarification needed] Cindy stepped forward and filled the president’s shoes.[24]

Controversy

Cinderella Sanyu was involved in a relationship with Ken Muyisa.

On leaving Blu*3, her fellow band members Jackie Chandiru and Lillian Mbabazi claimed that "she was not candid" about her reasons for leaving.[25] It was not long until Cindy embarked on a solo career with her hit single "Mbikooye" and wrote more hits like "Ayokyayokya", "Amateeka", "Party", "Selecta", "Ndi mukodo", and "Run this city".

Discography

Songs

  • Mbikooye
  • Amateeka
  • One and only
  • Party
  • Total satisfaction
  • Nawewe
  • Selekta
  • Tempo remix
  • Ndi mukodo
  • Samodat
  • Dat dat
  • Run this city
  • One by one ft Skales
  • Dancehall ft Eddy Kenzo
  • Onnina
  • Faded
  • Copicat
  • Boom party

Albums

  • The King Herself, 2019
  • Ayokyayokya, 2009

Awards and recognition

  • Female artiste of the year in the DIVA awards, 2009[26]
  • Teenies' dancehall artiste in Buzz teenies awards, 2010[27]
  • Best female artiste of the year in Buzz teenies awards, 2010[27]
  • Afrima awards best female artiste (East Africa) 2016[28]
  • Bingwa awards best artiste from Uganda 2016[29]

References

  1. ^ "Cindy speaks out". Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. ^ "BLU*3 - AFRICAN MUSICIAN". Retrieved 5 January 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Cindy, Davido fire up Kigali". Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b "I almost committed suicide – Cindy". Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  5. ^ Editorial, BigEye ug (2013-07-31). "Ugandan Music Artistes and Their Districts of Origin". BigEye.UG. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  6. ^ "Rated Next back for second season". Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  7. ^ PAM Awards: 2005 Winners & Nominees
  8. ^ Museke: Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) awards 2007 winners - Uganda Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^ Kora Awards: Kora Awards 2005 nominees
  10. ^ Tanzania Music Awards - Nominees 2005
  11. ^ africa.bizcommunity.com: Channel O Award nominees released
  12. ^ Museke: MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2009 nominees Archived 2009-10-14 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ "Cinderella Sanyu: How Cindy Left Blu 3". ourmusiq.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  14. ^ "2010 Review; Cindy Consolidated Her Achievements". Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Uganda film 'Bella' gets two major continental nods". Edge. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  16. ^ Kabuye, Kalungi. "Uganda gets record number of nominations in 'Africa's Oscars'". New Vision. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  17. ^ "ENTERTAINMENTUganda Film Festival 2018: See Official List of Nominees". Satisfashion. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  18. ^ Yasmin, Nila. "Cindy Sanyu lands On Lead Role In 'November Tear' Movie". Chimpreports. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  19. ^ "Mario didn't want marriage, so I left". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  20. ^ Nabanja, Rashim. "Singer Cindy gets engaged to movie star Joel Atiku". My Wedding. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. ^ "I now only associate with wives - Cindy". New Vision. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  22. ^ "Uganda Online - Cindy's wedding to Prynce Joel Atiku Okuyo". www.ugandaonline.net. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  23. ^ Mwarua, Douglas (2022-01-28). "Singer Cindy Sanyu, hubby blessed with their first child: We are overjoyed". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  24. ^ Ruby, Josh (2 April 2021). "Former UMA president amazed by Cindy Sanyu's efforts". Mbu. Mbu. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  25. ^ joomlasupport. "'Cindy was not candid'". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 2019-03-08.
  26. ^ "And the Diva of 2009 is... Cindy". newvision.co.ug. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  27. ^ a b "awards and recognitions for cindy Sanyu - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
  28. ^ https://twitter.com/blizzug/status/795372478373785600 Cindy Sanyu Afrima award winner best Female artiste East Africa 2016
  29. ^ https://twitter.com/Mdundomusic/status/694593397022146562 Artiste of the year Uganda