A.Y

A.Y (born Ambwene Allen Yessayah on 5 July) is an artist from Tanzania.

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, A.Y formed a group with his friends called S.O.G. The group released an album in 2000. In 2001, A.Y. went solo and recorded his first solo album titled ‘Raha Kamili’.

The first single off the album ‘Raha Tu’ (Pure Joy) was a huge success and topped local radio and T.V charts. The song earned him a spotight on the Tanzanian music scene.

In 2005, A.Y. released his second album ‘Hisia Zangu’ (my feelings) with its first single ‘Yule’ which topped the East African charts. The album features collaborations with top East African Artists like Prezzo, Tattuu and Deux Vultures (Kenya), Maurice Kirya (Uganda). The album earned him recognition in East Africa. His second single ‘Binadamu’ (Human Beings) was also a huge hit in East Africa and was nominated for a Kora Award making A.Y. the first Tanzanian male artist to be nominated for the award.

After the release of the second album, A.Y‘s popularity increased in East Africa to become one of the top artists 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, Vodacom and TBL for its Kilimanjaro Lager Brand.

• 2005, Nominated for Best Male Artiste East and Central Africa at The Kora Music Awards for the single ‘Binadamu’.
• 2006 Nominated for Best Male Artist, Tanzania at Kisima Music Awards in Kenya.
• 2007 Received a Kilimanjaro Music Award for Best Hip Hop single.
• 2007 Received a Kisima Music Award in Kenya for Best Music Video-Tanzania.
• 2007 Received a Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best Hip Hop single.
• 2008 Received a Kilimanjaro Music Award for Best Collaboration.
• 2008 Received a Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best Male Artist-Tanzania.
• 2010 Nominated for Best Video and Best Reggae Song of the year at Kili Music Awards.
• Received an award for Best Video at Teen Xtra Music Awards 2010.
• Nominated Artist of the Year, Best African Collaboration, Best East African song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Song of the year and Best Male
Artist of the year at The Museke Awards (Ghana).
• Received Best East African Male Artist at The Museke Awards (Ghana).
• MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
• Received Best East African Artist of the Year Award, Chaguo La Teneez 2010.
• Received Best Reggae Song of the Year Award, Tanzania Kili Music Awards 2010.
• Received Best East African Song of the Year Award, Museke Awards 2010.
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