{{Short description|Tanzanian musical,singer and songwriter}} {{Tone|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Phina | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = Sarah Michael Kitinga | alias = Saraphina | birth_date = 1996 | birth_place = Bariadi | module = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> |embed = yes | background = performing_personnel | genre = {{flatlist| * Bongo * AfroBeat }} | occupation = {{flatlist| * Singer * Musician * Music producer * Songwriter }} | instrument = {{flatlist| * Keyboard * guitar }} | years_active = 2018–present | label = Phina Management | associated_acts = {{flatlist| * Bongo Star Search * Brown Otile }} | website = }} }}
'''Sarah Michael Kitinga''' (born 1996), professionally known as '''Phina''' or '''Saraphina''', is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kubik |first=Gerhard |chapter-url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.27485 |chapter=Tanzania |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |series=Oxford Music Online|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.27485 |isbn=978-1-56159-263-0 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/rising-east-african-artists-to-watch-out-for-in-2023/ | title=Rising East African Artists to Watch Out for in 2023 - the Sauce }}</ref> She gained prominence in the Tanzanian music industry through songs such as ''Rara'', ''Superwoman'', ''Manu'', ''Sponsor'', ''Sisi Ndo Wale'', and ''Upo Nyonyo''.
The latter was ranked number 62 by Nigerian music platform NotJustOk in its list of the best Tanzanian songs of the decade (2012–2022).<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2023 |title=The 100 best Tanzanian songs of the decade: 2012 – 2022 {{!}} Notjustok |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/article/100-best-tanzanian-songs-of-the-decade/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video – Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref> She has collaborated with East African musicians, including Jux, Otile Brown, Jay Melody, and ''Ruby''.
== Career == Began her career as a singer when she was six years old, singing at her school and church choir. During her secondary school time at Marry Goreth, she was given an opportunity to lead a school choir called "Angels of Herald".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2023-03-16-nipo-nyonyo-singer-did-not-enhance-behind/ | title='Nipo Nyonyo' singer did not enhance behind }}</ref> Upon being admitted at the University of Dar es Salaam, Phina joined a praise and worship team. She attended different karaoke competitions and won the Mi–casa Lounge Karaoke competition.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/michezo/burudani/phina-asaini-dili-la-miaka-minne-na-ziiki-media-4098866 | title=Phina asaini dili la miaka minne na Ziiki Media | date=25 January 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/rising-east-african-artists-to-watch-out-for-in-2023/ | title=Rising East African Artists to Watch Out for in 2023 – the Sauce }}</ref>
In 2018, she participated in Bongo Star Search (BSS) and won it that same year.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Saimon |first=Musa |title=Analysis of Feedback Giving Practice Among Judges of Bongo Star Search Program |date=31 December 2020 |journal=Profetik: Jurnal Komunikasi |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=184 |doi=10.14421/pjk.v13i2.1688 |issn=2549-0168|doi-access=free }}</ref>
In 2021, released her first single ''In Love'', which was not commercially successful until she came up with her hit song ''Upo nyonyo'' in 2022, the song introduced her in the music industry and was later named by Notjustok as one of the top Tanzanian songs of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2022 |title=Top Tanzanian Songs Of 2022 {{!}} Notjustok East Africa |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/lists/best-tanzania-songs-2022/ |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video – Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2022, changed her stage name from '''Saraphina''' to '''Phina'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarafina, zao la BSS linalonogesha bongofleva |url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/michezo/burudani/sarafina-zao-la-bss-linalonogesha-bongofleva-3960840 |website=Mwananchi|date=25 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2023-03-16-nipo-nyonyo-singer-did-not-enhance-behind/ | title='Nipo Nyonyo' singer did not enhance behind }}</ref>
In 2023, collaborated with different music heavyweights such as Otile Brown, Jux, Jay Melody and more.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
== Awards and nomination == Tanzania Music Awards 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hawa ndio washindi wa Tuzo za Muziki Tanzania |url=https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/3487454 |website=Boomplay}}</ref> – (Best upcoming artist & Best female performer)
Tanzania Music Awards 2022 – (Best female performer & Best East Africa collaboration – Super woman ft Otile Brown)<ref>{{Cite web |title=#TMA2022: Phina mtumbuizaji bora wa kike wa mwaka |url=https://www.tanzaniaweb.com/TanzaniaHomePage/entertainment/TMA2022-Phina-mtumbuizaji-bora-wa-kike-wa-mwaka-719744 |website=Tanzaniaweb}}</ref>
Sound City MVP awards – Nomination for the best upcoming artist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Diamond Platnumz, Phina And Other Tanzanian Acts Bag Nominations At The 2023 Soundcity MVP Awards {{!}} SEE DETAILS |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/awards/diamond-zuchu-soundcity-awards/ |website=NOTJUSTOK|date=19 January 2023 }}</ref>
== Commercial activities == In 2022, she served as a brand influencer for Coca-Cola. In 2023, she took on the role of a Guinness beer brand influencer, and she also became an influencer for the InDrive.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/michezo/burudani/phina-asaini-dili-la-miaka-minne-na-ziiki-media-4098866 | title=Phina asaini dili la miaka minne na Ziiki Media | date=25 January 2023 }}</ref>
In 2022, she signed a distribution deal with Ziiki Follow her friend [http://www.instagram.com/_un.iqu3 Unique]
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External references== * https://singersroom.com/best-african-songs-to-expand-your-musical-horizons/ * https://afrikalyrics.com/artist/phina * https://www.mzukakibao.com/phina-biography/ * https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/phina
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phina, Saraphina, Sarah Michael Kitinga}} Category:21st-century Tanzanian women singers Category:Living people Category:1996 births