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 Name : Ambwene Allen Yessayah
Carrier: Musician / Actor / Model.
Born: 5th July 1981
Birthplace: Mtwara, Southern part of Tanzanian.
Best known as: A.Y “Mzee wa Commercial"- The Man of Commercial Albums released so far: 2 ("Raha Kamili" - Pure Joy-2003 and "Hisia Zangu"- My Feelings-2005)
Music Spirit: Entertainment.
Performed in: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Africa and England.
Latest hit: "Mademu watafutaji" – Hard working ladies. Currently Tops the charts at No. 1 position in all the radio stations in Tanzanian.
As a 3rd born in the family of 4 children of Mr. Allen Yessayah (Late) and Mrs. Lydia Yessayah, AY started his journey in music with S.O.G in 1996; a Tanzanian rap group made up of Benjamin Gamba a.k,a
Buff G, Adam a.k.a Snare and Ambwene Yessayah a.k.a AY himself. In year 2000 is when they first recorded their first 2 tracks. This group later on inco-orperated some of her projects with the East Coast Team, which has members such as GK, Mwana FA, Paulin Zongo and others.
In 2002 AY decided to be a solo artist while still an active member of S.O.G where he released his own first album “Raha Kamili" and later on his second one "Hisia Zangu". He is one of the successful East African musicians who is truly dedicated to music especially Rap. His Vocal quality and flexibility makes him one of the best Boys as far as East African music is concerned. The only reason why he is a cut above the rest is his strives to do many collabos with East African artists such as; the late Complex, Snare, Buff G, GK,Lady Jay Dee, Ray C and many others from Tanzania and also CMB Prezzo, Deux and Tatuu from Kenya and Maurice Kirya from Uganda; something which not many other musicians here in East Africa have. For him it doesn't matter where or who he teams up with. It always ends up being a big Success.
He is so dynamic that both in Uganda and Kenya he is recognised and in his home country Tanzania. From his sentiments, he definitely is East Africa's Entertainment Ambassador. AY is the first rap artist in Tanzania to Commercialize rap music and creating respect and recognition for rap music and finally naming it 'Bongo Flavor'. All his songs in his Albums have reigned in the East African top 10 chart shows mostly at no.1 position. Among his songs 'Ni Raha tu' meaning only Joy, a song that portrays joyful young Africans who with all the problems surrounding them, they still get a chance to rejoice, 'Machoni kama watu' meaning that on their faces they are human but in their hearts they are inhuman, which portrays some negative human characters. 'Nipe Nikupe' meaning give me love and I will give you love,'Yule' meaning 'That One' a song that portrays a poor young man who fell in Love with a rich girl but couldn't marry her as he was Poor.
His most wanted song is ' Binadam' meaning 'Human' a song that portrays what and how it feels like being poor, everyone will ignore you, no one wants to listen to your stories even if they are interesting, it shows that sometimes human beings are inhuman his song "Mademu Watafutaji"- hardworking young ladies, is a great hit in the country at No.l position since it was released in February 2006. It empowers young women to increase their effort in finding right means of survival. It encourages them that they can make it to overcome dependence on men.
Currently his new song USIJARIBU – “ DON’T TRY" is a great hit in the east and central wide at No.1 position since it was released in Octobery 2006.
In the history of Music in Tanzania, there had never been a male bongo flavor artist nominated for Kora African music Awards. AY was the first one to be nominated in the
category of the best male artist from Eastern and Central Africa in 2005. He is also one of the nominees for the best song from Tanzania for Kisima Music Awards in Kenya with his song "Inategemea na mtu"- Depends on the person. This song promotes respect for various people no matter how they look like, hence "Don't judge a book by its cover.
AY's music is always produced by different producers in East Africa, among them include; Steve Jean, Fenon Records, and Henry of No End Studio from Uganda and From Kenya, Musyocka and R. Kay of Homeboys productions and from Tanzanian P.funk of Bongo Records and Master Jay of MJ productions while Paparazzi Productions from Uganda, Wananchi productions from Tanzania and Ogopa Videos from Kenya produce his Music videos.
As music is his carrier, AY's vision is to take his music beyond the boarders of Africa and he believes that entertainment is not only about moving to a fabulous jig, but also a means to Educate the community about Social-Economic/Cultural Issues such as HIV/AIDS, Wars, Hunger, Poverty, Peace e.t.c. Besides Music, he models for various business companies as seen on the billboards all over the country, on TV stations and Radio stations and Magazines.
He is also involved in number of Advertising companies in Tanzania, and appeared in several advertising compaigns because of his infuence in Music industry.
As an Actor, he can be see as a "Gentleman" in the first Tanzanian movie to be acted by Tanzanian celebrities, "Girlfriend." In sports and games, he is very good in table tennis, roller skates and football.
AY is a hard working and creative young Man, unlike other rap artists in Tanzania; he has the ability to learn, conceptualize ideas and open his mind to critism. He takes criticism positively and believes that constructive criticism is the best yardstick to measure your achievement. |
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