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Ambwene Allen Yessayah, popularly known as A-Y, was born in Mtwara, Tanzania to Mr. Allen Yessayah (Late) and Mrs. Lydia Yessayah. He is a hip-hop and Bongo flava musician from Tanzania. He is seen as one of East Africa's biggest artistes, getting good airplay in Kenya and Uganda as well.
He nurtured dreams of being a pilot before he got into music. He ended up studying Information technology and financial management. He started 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 himself. The group banded with the East Coast Team, which has members such as GK, Mwana FA, Paulin Zongo and others.
A-Y went solo in 2002 and released “Raha Kamili" in 2003. His second album, Hisia Zangu, had the track Binadamu (a song about poverty) which he did with Uganda's Maurice Kirya and Ham K. He featured many East African artistes in this album. He even featured Namibia's Gal Level.
He is part of the East Coast team with King Crazy GK. He also collaborated with Kenya's Jua Cali and Uganda's Baba Luku on the UTAKE anthem which stands for Uganda, TAnzania and KEnya. 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'.
Some of his popular songs include Sifa hiyo, Ni raha tu, Mademu Watafutaji, , Nipe nikupe, Wote, Inatengemea na mtu, Kutoka kwa AY, Kimya chako, etc
Song lyrics
Raha kamili (2003)
Machoni kama watu
Hisia Zangu (2005)
Yule
Binadamu
Usijaribu (2007)
Usijaribu
Freeze (2008)
Freeze












, GBP 12.55 only.
A-Y has featured a lot of East African artistes who are not from Tanzania in his songs. I think in one album, he featured more Kenyans than Tanzanians. So far as I know, only Genevieve has pulled that off, featuring only Ghanaians in her one and only album to date.
I love A-Y's music, he's good.
His website is great too.
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