Imany

Nadia Mladjao, known by her stage name Imany, was born on April 5, 1979, in Martigues, near Marseille, France. Her family originates from the Comoros Islands. In her youth, Imany showcased athletic talent as a high jumper. She later pursued a career in modeling, working for Ford Models Europe, which led her to reside in the United States for seven years. Following her time in the US, she returned to France and began her singing career in 2008, adopting the name Imany, which means ‘hope’ or ‘faith’ in Swahili.

Imany started performing in Parisian nightclubs before releasing her debut EP, “Acoustic Sessions,” in 2010. Her first full-length album, “The Shape of a Broken Heart,” was released in 2011. This album garnered positive reviews and achieved platinum certification in France. She composed the soundtrack for Audrey Dana’s 2014 film “French Women.” A significant turning point in her career occurred in 2015 when the Filatov & Karas remix of her song “Don’t Be So Shy” became a widespread European hit, reaching number one in countries such as Austria, Germany, Poland, and Russia. This success further amplified her international recognition.

Her second studio album, “The Wrong Kind of War,” was released in 2016 and also achieved commercial success, earning platinum status in France and gold certification in Poland. In 2017, Imany was honored with the “Meilleure Interprète féminine” (Best Female Singer) award at the prestigious Globes de Cristal Awards. She continued to release new music, including the album “Voodoo Cello” in 2021, and has ongoing projects, with her album “Women Deserve Rage” slated for release in 2025. Her work frequently explores themes of hope and resilience through her distinct folk and soul style.