Amanda Selassie

Name / Stage Name: Amanda Selassie / Black is Beautiful

Show Title & Genre: Saturday Soup

Interests & Hobbies:
Keep fit – cooking – dancing –socializing – presenting on our local radio.

Musical Background/History:

My parents used hold blues in their house when I was very small – so I have been introduced to music from a very early age. My dad’s collection was mainly reggae music consisting of Bob Marley, Dennis brown, Gregory Isaac.   Daddy B aka Curtis Batchelor my eldest son father was in a sound and also was one of the first presenters on GFM.  My eldest son Dermaine aka Cage is a DJ and used to present on GFM.  My youngest son father Obioma aka Younglion used to present on GFM and BBC 1Xtra and was a DJ.  So music is in my blood now.  Until my eldest grandson is learning how to use decks and is into his genre of music as young as he is at 6 years old.

How did you get involved with GFM?

I was asked by one of the members of the Saturday soup after the sad death of George Floyd demonstrations over Gloucester Park.

Achievements:

I have achieved a lot I feel from being pregnant at 16.
From being a homeowner at the tender age of 27.
Raising my 2 sons – now actively involved with my 2 Grandsons.
I have achieved a great deal since working at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital – I have worked my way through the ranks from a band 2, currently I am a Senior in a band 6 role.  Which I am very proud of; as we are aware there have been a lack of representation of people of colour in senior positions here at the trust for a while.  Thanks too BLM a lot of companies, industries and organisations are changing the way they used to do things

Musical aspirations:

Bob Marley, Diana Ross, Mary J B, Gregory Isaac, Aliyah, Alicia Keys, Marvado, Egyptian, Capleton, Chronixx, Dennis Brown

3-5 Most Influential Tracks:

War  – Bob Marley
Wasted Energy – Alicia Keys
Turn me on – Black Coffee
Promise Land – Dennis Brown
Essence – Wizkid

Message to GFM Listeners  

Watch your Thoughts for they become your words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.