Since her cover ‘Manike Mage Hithe’ became a viral sensation, making waves worldwide and receiving shoutouts from global stars such as Amitabh Bachchan more than three years ago, Yohani de Silva has enjoyed unparalleled success on a global scale. The Sri Lankan singer, songwriter and rapper recently added another feather to her cap when her debut album, ‘Kella’ consisting of 14 tracks composed entirely by her has been accepted for consideration in the Best Global Music Album Category at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
The annual event which is held to honour the best recordings, compositions and artistes from the global music industry will take place at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, on February 2, 2025.
“It’s truly humbling and beyond anything I ever dreamed of. Having my debut album ‘Kella’ considered for such a prestigious accolade feels like a personal milestone and a step forward for Sri Lankan music on the global stage. This recognition belongs to my incredible team, my listeners and my country. I’m so grateful for the journey and the chance to share my roots and music with the world,” Yohani enthused about her latest achievement.
Turning point
This achievement marks a huge turning point in the South Asian pop star’s career as it is another step in reaching further global heights. The young musician who had always had flair to do things differently, voiced her thoughts about the possibility of getting nominated and even winning a Grammy Award and how such global recognition would impact the local music scene.
“Winning would be an absolute honour! However, the next step is getting nominated. It’s hard to predict the outcome, given the immense talent in this category. Regardless, I hope this recognition inspires artistes in Sri Lanka. For me, it’s a reminder to keep pushing boundaries and sharing Sri Lanka’s story through music,” she said.
Starting as a YouTuber, Yohani first made her appearances at gigs with the band Lunu. They performed in various places in the city but gained little fame then. Fortune came when she was asked to remake ‘Manike Mage Hithe’. Yohani seized the opportunity with both hands and did it in her own inimitable style. The song’s vibrant visuals, cultural appeal and infectious melody soon blazed like a fire across the world and made her a superstar.
What is also significant about this is that these episodes happened during the toughest times – when most parts of the world were under lockdown due to the Corona pandemic.
Speaking about music’s ability to heal at the toughest times, Yohani said that it has the power to uplift, heal and bring people together during disaster and difficulty.
With ‘Manike Mage Hithe,’ I saw how a song can transcend borders and bring smiles to faces, even in dark moments. It’s a reminder of how universal and powerful music truly is,” she added.
A passion for ‘Manike’
The global hit happened in the depths of deep frustration when Yohani was playing around with her musical instruments during the pandemic. She has always had a passion for ‘Manike’ so was considering making a TikTok video of it. After realising her wish Chamath Sangeeth invited her to do an official cover of it.
Satheeshan Rathnayake, who did the original with Dulan ARX, soon joined in this venture.
The cover featured a blend of traditional and contemporary tunes. The song soon reached 25 million views and then Yohani’s career changed overnight with Big B’s tweet. Not only did Yohani become a global superstar but she was also the first Sri Lankan female singer to surpass 3.60 million subscribers on YouTube.
“Music is my heartfelt expression. It’s how I share my stories, culture, and dreams. It goes beyond language. It’s about emotion, connection, and understanding. Through my music, I want to convey hope, love, and the beauty of diversity—reminding everyone that we are all connected,” she summed up her thoughts on what music truly means to her.
Yohani had a deep love for music from a very young age. Her mother taught her how to play the piano, and she later received professional instructions from a few teachers. She learned to play the guitar by watching YouTube videos. Since she loves music, everything fell into place. Music is what she wishes to be surrounded by all the time.
Not limiting herself to one language, Yohani had sung songs in English, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada and Telegu too. She also collaborated with a Moroccan artiste, singing her lyrics in Sinhala. She said it was definitely challenging at first to master a foreign tongue.
“Pronunciation and understanding the nuances of Hindi took effort, but I enjoyed learning. Working with amazing collaborators and dedicating time to immerse myself in the language helped me overcome those challenges,” she added.
Vision to producers
Yohani said that one of the greatest hurdles she has faced to date was finding her voice, literally and metaphorically.
“Learning to communicate my vision to producers, navigating a writer’s block, and overcoming self-doubt have all been tough but they’ve made me stronger as an artiste and a person,” she said.
With fame comes great sacrifices and immense pressure. It can also be overwhelming at times. How does Yohani stay grounded?
She was quick to respond that she surrounds herself with people who remind her of where she comes from. Her team and friends help her stay true to herself and around them, she always feels like being just Yohani!
She believes that every step, even the missteps that she has taken has shaped who she is today. If she could tell her younger self anything, it would be to trust her instincts. Self-belief and learning from every experience have been the most valuable lessons for her.
Her life is dotted with a plethora of precious and memorable moments but she believes that the best is yet to come.
“Stay true to yourself and your art. Surround yourself with a supportive team and don’t let criticism deter you. Success doesn’t come overnight, so keep pushing, keep learning and most importantly, enjoy the journey,” are her words of advice to those who look up to her for inspiration.
Second studio album
Yohani’s second studio album is in the works and set for release in early 2025. She is also gearing up for an exciting tour starting in January, with the Outright Stage Live Show. The first stop is in Colombo on January 18, 2025. There are other incredible collaborations and projects lined up too. So she urges her fans to stay tuned since there is much more to come in the future.
“I’m endlessly grateful for the love and support from my fans—you are my strength! Your belief in my music has carried me through every step of this journey. This milestone of being considered for a Grammy nomination belongs to you as much as it does to me. Thank you for listening, sharing, and celebrating my music,” she said.
