A.Y. (musician)
Ambwene Allen Yessayah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ambwene Allen Yessayah July 5, 1982 Mtwara, Tanzania |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Pioneer of Tanzanian hip hop, Bongo flava music |
Ambwene Allen Yessayah (born 5 July 1982), popularly known as A.Y., is a Tanzanian bongo flava musician of Makonde descent originating from Mtwara. He began his musical journey in 1996 as a member of the group S.O.G. before embarking on a solo career in 2002. A.Y. is acknowledged as one of the pioneers who brought hip hop into the commercial spotlight in Tanzania. Once affiliated with East Coast Army, he currently works closely with former member Mwana Fa.
He is also recognized as the first Tanzanian artist to successfully combine entrepreneurship with his music career, motivating peers to explore business ventures alongside their artistry.
Discography
- Raha Kamili (2003)
- Hisia Zangu (2005)
- Habari Ndio Hiyo (2008)
- "Zigo"
- Habari Ndiyo Hiyo
- Kings & Queens featuring Amani & Jokate
- Microphone featuring Fid Q
- More & More featuring Nyashinski
- Touch Me Touch Me featuring Sean Kingston & Ms Triniti
- Yule
- Zigo Remix featuring Diamond Platnumz
Family
In 2017, A.Y. proposed to his longtime partner Rehma Remy Munyana in Tanzania. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed their first son, Aviel Yessayah, within the same year.
Awards Received
|- |2007 Tanzania Music Awards |"Usijarib" |Best Hip Hop Single | |- |2007 Kisima Music Awards |Usijarib |Best Video Tanzania | |- |2008 Tanzania Music Awards |Habari Ndio Hiyo featuring Mwana Fa |Collaboration Of The Year | |- |2008 Pearl of Africa Music Awards |A.Y. |Best Tanzanian Male Artist | |- |2010 Tanzania Music Awards |Leo featuring Avril |Best Reggae Song | |- |2012 Channel O Music Video Awards |A.Y. |Best East African Video |
Nominations
|- |2005 Kora Awards | |Best East African Male Artist | |- |2008 Kisima Music Awards |"Nangoja Ageuke" with Mwana Fa |Tanzanian Video Of The Year | |- |2008 Kisima Music Awards |"Usiwe Mnali" featuring Amani |East African Collaboration Of The Year | |- |2009 MTV Africa Music Awards |A.Y. |Best Hip Hop Artist | |- |2009 Channel O Music Video Awards |"Naongea Na Wewe" featuring Mwana Fa |Best East African Video | |- |2010 Tanzania Music Awards |"Leo" |Best Music Video | |- |2011 Tanzania Music Awards |A.Y. |Best Male Artist | |- |2011 Tanzania Music Awards |"Usije Mjini" featuring Mwana Fa |Best Hip Hop Song | |- |2011 Tanzania Music Awards |"Dakika Moja" featuring Mwana Fa & Hardmad |Best Collaboration Song | |- |2011 Tanzania Music Awards |"Songa Mbele" featuring Alpha Rwirangira |Best East African Song | |- |2012 Tanzania Music Awards |"Good Look" featuring Ms. Triniti |Best Ragga/Dancehall Song | |- |2012 Channel O Music Video Awards |"Speak With Your Body" featuring Romeo Miller & La'Myia Good |"Video Of The Year" |