A.Y. (musician)

A.Y.
Background information
Birth nameAmbwene Allen Yessayah
Born (1982-07-05) July 5, 1982 (age 42)
Mtwara, Tanzania
OriginMtwara Region
GenresBongo Flava, Tanzanian hip hop
Years active1996-present
Member ofS.O.G
Formerly of
  • East Coast Army
  • East Coast Team

Ambwene Allen Yessayah (born 5 July 1982), better known by his stage name A.Y., is a Tanzanian bongo flava artist of Makonde heritage. He was born in Mtwara, Mtwara Region, Tanzania. He began his career with the group S.O.G. in 1996. He decided to go solo in 2002. A.Y. is among the first bongo flava artists to commercialize hip hop. He was member of the musical group known as East Coast Army, but now he is no longer part of the group. He is still releasing songs and albums collaborating mostly with a former East Coast Army artist Mwana Fa.[1]

A.Y is termed as the first Tanzania musician to start up business and merge music and business and inspire other artist to follow the path.

Discography

  • Raha Kamili 2003
  • Hisia Zangu2005
  • Habari Ndio Hiyo 2008
  • "Zigo
  • Habari Ndiyo Hiyo
  • Kings & Queens Ft. Amani & Jokate [2]
  • Microphone Ft. Fid Q [3]
  • More & More Ft. Nyashinski [4]
  • Touch Me Touch Me Ft. Sean Kingstone & Mis Trinity [5]
  • Yule [6]
  • Zigo Remix Ft. Diamond Platnumz [7]

Family

In 2017 A.Y proposed to his long time girlfriend Rehma Remy Munyana at the Golden Tulip in Tanzania.[8] In 2018, A.Y and Remy got married.[9][10] Within the same year 2018, A.Y and his wife welcomed their first Child Aviel Yessayah.[11]

Awards and nominations

Won

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007 Tanzania Music Awards[12] "Usijarib" Best Hip Hop Single Won
2007 Kisima Music Awards[13] Usijarib Best Video Tanzania Won
2008 Tanzania Music Awards Habari Ndio Hiyo Ft Mwana Fa Collaboration Of The Year Won
2008 Pearl of Africa Music Awards[14] Himself Best Tanzanian Male Artist Won
2010 Tanzania music awards[15] Leo Ft Avril (singer) Best Reggae Song Won
2012 Channel O Music Video Awards Himself Best East African Video Won

Nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2005 Kora Awards Best East African Male Artist [16] Nominated
2008 Kisima Music Awards Nangoja Ageuke with Mwana Fa Tanzanian Video Of The Year [13] Nominated
2008 Kisima Music Awards Usiwe Mnali East African Collaboration Of The Year Ft Amani (musician)[13] Nominated
MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 Himself Best Hip Hop Nominated
2009 Channel O Music Video Awards Naongea Na Wewe Ft Mwana Fa Best African East Nominated
2010 Tanzania music awards Leo Best Music Video Nominated
2011 Tanzania Music Awards Himself Best Male Artist Nominated
2011 Tanzania Music Awards Usije Mjini Ft Mwana Fa Best Hip Hop Song Nominated
2011 Tanzania Music Awards Dakika Moja Ft Mwana Fa & Hardmad Best Collaboration Song Nominated
2011 Tanzania Music Awards Songa Mbele Ft Alpha Rwirangira Best East African Song Nominated
2012 Tanzania Music Awards Good Look Ft Ms. Triniti Best Best Ragga/Dancehall Song Nominated
2012 Channel O Music Video Awards Speak With Your Body Ft Romeo Miller & La'Myia Good Video Of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Most selling local Hip Hop artiste". This Day. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  2. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  3. ^ "AY Feat Fid Q - Microphone (Official Music video )". YouTube. 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  4. ^ "AY ft Nyashinski - MORE N MORE (Official Audio)". YouTube. 2017-01-19. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  5. ^ "Touch Me Touch Me - AY Feat. Sean Kingston & Ms Triniti (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube. 2014-12-08. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  6. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  7. ^ "AY feat. Diamond Platnumz - Zigo Remix (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  8. ^ "TANZANIA: AY Weds Rwandese Long-time Girlfriend Remy In A Lavish Wedding - News". Mdundo.com. 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  9. ^ "Photos from Tanzanian musician AY and beautiful Rwandese wife wedding".
  10. ^ "Photos". www.mdosemedia.com. 2018. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  11. ^ "Musician AY and his wife Remy welcome first child - eDaily Kenya". Archived from the original on 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2019-02-06.
  12. ^ "Kilitime". Archived from the original on 2010-07-10. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  13. ^ a b c "Kisima Music Awards". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  14. ^ "PAM Awards Winners 2008 | Museke". Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  15. ^ "Diamond becomes toast of Kili Awards night". Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  16. ^ "koraawards.co.za". koraawards.co.za. Retrieved 2021-02-24.