User:AY (Tanzania)/sandbox

Ambwene Allen Yessayah, better known by his stage name as A.Y. or AyTanzania, is a Tanzanian bongo flava artist. He was born on July 5, 1981 in Mtwara, Southern part of Tanzania. He began his career with the group S.O.G. in 1996. He decided to go solo in 2002. AY 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's no longer part of the group. He is still releasing songs and albums collaborating most with an ex-coast artist MwanaFA.

Music Career
AY began his music career at the age of ten. While in primary school he participated in talent searches and frequently entertained guests at parties and events. In 1996 while in high school he formed a group with his friends called S.O.G. which recorded an album and released it in the year 2000. In 2001 A.Y. decided to go solo and recorded his first solo album ‘Raha Kamili’. The rst single off the album ‘Raha Tu’(Pure Joy) was a huge success, it quickly topped local radio and T.V charts. It was this project that introduced A.Y. into the Tanzanian music scene.

Serious Business
In 2005 A.Y. released his second album ‘Hisia Zangu’ (my feelings) with its rst single ‘Yule’ which topped the East African charts. The album included various collaborations with top East African Artists like Prezzo, Tattuu and Deux Vultures Kenya, Maurice Kirya Uganda. This gave A.Y. more recognition in East Africa. The second single from the album ‘Binadamu’ (Human Beings) was a huge hit in East Africa and was nominated for a Kora Award making A.Y. the first Tanzanian male artist to be nomi- nated for the award.

After the release of the second album A.Y‘s popularity increased in East Africa and established him as a top artist in the region. In 2006 he received an endorsement deal with Konyagi one of the top selling liquors in East Africa. The endorsement deal opened more doors and he was featured in various commercials with different companies including Coca-Cola, Airtel Tanzania, Vodacom Tanzania and TBL for its Kilimanjaro Lager Brand.

Performance
AY Is currently doing collaborations with stars from Africa and the rest of the world including J.Martins, Cabo Snoop Angola, Sean Kingston, Elephant Man (Jamaica), Young Joc, T-Pain, Tyga and others. AY has just launched his major hit song ZIGO and ZIGO Remix featuring Diamond Platnumz a huge hit in East Africa and Africa in general.
 * " The launch of his four albums was a huge success. Sponsored by The Tanzania Cigarette Company and featured international artists including Fat Joe, Eve, P-Square and others.
 * "Was one of the main artists performing during a huge concert ‘Music Against Aids’ in Tanzania an initiative supported by The Tanzanian government and United States Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D).
 * "The Coke side of life tour in East Africa.
 * " The Afro Arabs youth Festival in Uganda that had different artistes from all over Africa.
 * "The Zanzibar International Film Festival.
 * "The Sauti za Busara Festival
 * "Performed for refugees of Rwanda and Burundi courtesy of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (U.N.H.C.R).
 * "Tanzania was honored 2007 to have the Olympic torch pass through their country, A.Y. was one of the few artists selected to perform at the event.
 * " He has also performed in East Africa, Rwanda, Burundi, Dubai, India, South Africa, U.S.A, Malaysia, Russia and the U.K.
 * "MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
 * "Channel O Music Awards 2011 & 2012

Albums

 * Raha Kamili
 * Hisia Zangu

Singles

 * "Raha kamili"
 * "Safi Hiyo"
 * "Binadamu" (featuring Maurice Kirya)
 * "Kula Kwa Macho"
 * "Kutoka Kwa AY"
 * "Leo"
 * "Leo Remix" (featuring Arvil)
 * "Nasema Nao" (featuring Jose Chameleone)
 * "Nipe Nikupe" (featuring Prezzo)
 * "Usijaribu"
 * "U take Anthem" (featuring Babaluku & Jua Cali)
 * "Habari Kamili"
 * "Bed & Breakfast"
 * ″Alfajiri″
 * "Yule"
 * "Nangoja Ageuke" (With MwanaFA)
 * "Dakika Moja" (With MwanaFA)
 * "Mademu Watafutaji"
 * "Asubuhi"
 * "Jipe Shavu" (featuring Fid Q)
 * "Freeze" (featuring P-Square)
 * "Machoni Kama watu" (featuring Lady Jay Dee)
 * "Inategemeana na Mtu"
 * "Speak With ya Body"" (featuring Romeo & Lamyia)
 * "I don't wanna be alone" (featuring Sauti Sol)
 * "Asante"" (featuring Della)
 * "Money"
 * "Good Look" (featuring Ms.Triniti)
 * "Bila Kukunja goti" (With MwanaFA)
 * "It's going Down" (featuring Ms.Triniti)
 * "Touch me Touch Me" (featuring Sean Kingston & Ms.Triniti)
 * "Zigo"
 * "Zigo Remix" (featuring Diamond Platnumz)

Won

 * 2007 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Hip Hop Single ('Usijaribu')
 * 2007 Kisima Music Awards - Best Video From Tanzania ('Usijaribu')
 * 2008 Tanzania Music Awards - Collaboration of the Year ("Habari Ndio Hiyo"), with Mwanafalsafa
 * 2008 Pearl of Africa Music Awards - Best Tanzanian Male Artist
 * 2010 Tanzania music awards - Best Reggae Song ('Leo (Reggae remix)' with Avril)
 * 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best East African Video

Nominations

 * 2005 Kora Awards - Best East African Male Artist
 * 2008 Kisima Music Awards - Tanzanian Video of the Year ("Nangoja Ageuke", with Mwanafalsafa) & East African Collaboration of the Year ("Usiwe Mbali", with Amani)
 * 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards - Best Hip Hop
 * 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards - Best African East ("Naongea Na Wewe" with Mwanafalsafa)
 * 2010 Tanzania music awards - Best Music Video ('Leo')
 * 2011 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Male Artist, Best Hip Hop Song ('Usije Mjini' with Mwana FA), Best Collaboration Song ('Dakika Moja' with FA & Hardmad), Best East African Song ('Songa Mbele' with Alpha)
 * 2012 Tanzania Music Awards - Best Ragga/Dancehall Song ('Good look' with Ms. Triniti)
 * 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards - Video of the Year (featuring Romeo and Lamyia - Speak With Your Body)