Cinderella Sanyu, known professionally as Cindy Sanyu, is a prominent Ugandan singer, songwriter, and actress. She is a celebrated Ugandan artist known for her dynamic stage presence and fusion of Afrobeat, dancehall, and R&B sounds. Cindy has released multiple hit tracks that have earned her awards and acclaim across East Africa.
In addition to her music career, she has ventured into acting and public speaking, further solidifying her influence in the entertainment industry.
Cindy Sanyu performing at Blankets and Wine Kampala
Early Life and Education
Born on August 28, 1985, in Kampala, Uganda, Cinderella Sanyu Muyonjo hails from the Mbale district. She grew up in Ntinda barracks because her father was in the military. Cindy is from the Munyoro/Itesot tribe, and she is the fifth child in a family of eight.
Sanyu attended Wenale Primary School and Ngora High School for her early education. For her A level, she went to Mbale Progressive High School. She later switched schools and went to Wenale View Secondary School Mbale for her senior three and four years. Cindy didn't continue her education after high school, instead focusing on her burgeoning music career.
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Musical Beginnings
Cindy started singing at the age of six in her local church in Ntinda. She took part in "Capital Radio All Stars talent search" when she was 16 years old and took third place.
After this talent search, she started working closely with Steve Jean. He made sure she entered the Coca-Cola Pop Stars contest, which led to the formation of a girl group called Blue 3 in 2003.
Blu*3, the group that launched Cindy Sanyu's career
Blu*3 Era
Cindy rose to prominence as one of the founding members of Blu*3, an all-girl group that included Lilian Mbabazi and Jackie Chandiru. After the group was formed, Steve Jean took over as manager. The group went on to become the biggest in Africa, and they went on tours to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, and other places. The group achieved significant success, touring extensively across Africa and receiving several award nominations.
This girl group was nominated for the best artist/group from Uganda and best music video from Uganda at Kenya's Kisima awards in 2005. They were also nominated for video of the year at the 2005 pearl of Africa music awards and video of the year at the 2007 pearl of music awards.
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The Blue 3 was also nominated as the best East African group for the 2005 Kora Awards in Africa.
In 2005, their song "Frisky" was nominated for the best East African video at the Tanzania music awards. The next year, the group was again up for best group and best performer at the Channel O music awards.
The group was up for an MTV award, but Cindy had already left.
Solo Career
In 2008, Cindy was dropped from the group. In 2008, Cindy Sanyu was kicked out of the Blue 3 group for not following the rules. She decided to start over in music when she went out on her own. She embarked on a solo career. Cindy put out her first single, Mbikooye, which got her nominated for a PAM award in 2009 as a talent to watch.
Her 2009 solo album, Ayokya Ayokya, had hits like "Mbikoye" and "Nawewe," among many others. Cindy has performed on the same stage as Psquare, Wahu, Tiwa Savage, Shaggy, and Davido, among others.
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Cindy Sanyu's first album as a solo artist was called Mbikooye. It had songs like "Nawewe" and "Outta My Mind" that did well on the charts. Sanyu and P Square worked together to make a song called "You and Me," which was a big hit in East Africa.
Cindy's next big hit was called "Ayokya Ayokya," and it was produced by Washington. This was Cindy's first dancehall song, and it took her to the next level and made her known as the best female dancehall artist.
In 2010, Sanyu released another hit song called "Only." Once again, producer Washington was in charge of making it. In 2012, Cindy put out a song called "Selecta," which was played a lot on international channels in Africa.
Cindy has worked with Psquare, Juliana Kanyomozi, Fidempa, Bobi Wine, Byaxxy, and a lot of other artists.
Cindy's biggest year was 2019, when she put out her biggest hit, "Boom Party," and played a successful show at Cricket Oval. Because of this song, it reached the top of the charts and was nominated for several awards.
Her latest hit song, "Boom party," has been number one in Uganda and across Africa. Cindy is one of the best female dancehall artists in East Africa right now. She is also the owner of a band called Band Cindy.
Discography
Cindy Sanyu's discography includes several hit songs:
- Mbikooye, 2008
- Ayokya Ayokya, 2009
- Boom party, 2019
- Run this city, 2019
- Copycat, 2019
- Mwoto, 2019
- Ndi mukondo, 2017
- Still standing, 2016
- Onnina 2019
- Sample dat, 2017
- Too much, 2015
- Sunset, 2016
- Kyewunyisa, 2014
- Bitambula, 2014
- Bwasalawo, 2013
- Kiki, 2010
- Na weewe, 2008
- Tebimala, 2011
- Maama, 2009
- Amateka, 2012
Collaborations include:
- Tempo with Dafla Boss
- Mudra Mwoto with Karole Kasita
- Tebimala with viper Rankings
- Dancehall with Eddy Kenzo
- Locomotive with Radio, Weasel Dilemma with Bobi Wine and Mr. G
Film Career
Cindy also tried her hand at acting in movies, and her first role was in the drama Bella. Cindy played the main character in a movie, and her performance earned her a nomination for the best young actor in an African lead role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.
At the Uganda Film Festival awards in 2018, she was also up for best actress. Later, Cindy worked on a film called November Tear, which came out in 2019.
Awards and Nominations
Cindy Sanyu has received several awards and nominations throughout her career, including:
- PAM Awards: Talents to watch out for, Female Artist of the Year, 2008
- DIVA Awards, 2009
- BUZZ TEENIEZ: Dancehall artist and the year's best female artist, 2010
- Afrima Awards: East Africa's Best Female Artist, 2016
- Bingwa Awards: Best Ugandan artist
- Best dancehall song, Zzina Awards, 2020
- Nominations: Best female artist, Zzina Awards, 2020
- Best young actor at the Africa Movie Academy for her lead role in the movie
- Nigerian Entertainment Award (non-Nigerian)
Personal Life
Cindy Sanyu was in a relationship with Mario Brunette, and they had a daughter named Amani. She also dated Ken Muyiisa, who was married to Phina Masanyalaze. Cindy got engaged to Joel Okuyo Pyrnce, who makes and directs movies.
Here is a summary of Cindy Sanyu's awards and nominations:
| Award | Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAM Awards | 2008 | Talents to Watch Out For | Won |
| PAM Awards | 2008 | Female Artist of the Year | Won |
| DIVA Awards | 2009 | - | Won |
| BUZZ TEENIEZ | 2010 | Best Female Artist | Won |
| Afrima Awards | 2016 | East Africa's Best Female Artist | Won |
| Bingwa Awards | - | Best Ugandan Artist | Won |
| ZZina Awards | 2020 | Best Dancehall Song | Won |
| ZZina Awards | 2020 | Best Female Artist | Nominated |
| Africa Movie Academy Awards | - | Best Young Actor | Nominated |
| Nigerian Entertainment Award | - | (Non-Nigerian) | Won |
Controversies
After she left Blue 3, members of the group like Jackie Chandiru and Lilian Mbabazi attacked her, saying she wasn't well-behaved.
A few months later, her naked pictures got out, and Cindy said that her old boss, Steve Jean, was to blame. To this day, Cindy and Steve Jean have not made up.
Cindy Sanyu was with Fina Masanyalaze's husband, Ken Muyisa, who was also her boyfriend. There was trouble between the two women, but Cindy didn't do well in the relationship.
She set up a Kukyala, but Muyiisa didn't come to Cindy's parents' house. That was the last straw, so they broke up.
Cindy and Sheeba Kalungi have been fighting recently, and Cindy asked for a fight, but Sheeba's management said no.
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