Biography and Early Life
Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, known by his stage name Rayvanny, was born on August 22, 1993, in Mbeya, Tanzania. He grew up in the Nzovwe ward of Mbeya city, which is located in the Mbeya Region. Rayvanny discovered his passion for music during his high school years when he participated in a rap freestyle competition and won in 2011. This early success motivated him to pursue a career in music more seriously.
Career Development
In 2012, Rayvanny joined a local music group called Tip Top Connection, where he gained valuable experience and connections within the Tanzanian music industry. His breakthrough came in 2016 when he signed with WCB Wasafi Records, one of the largest record labels in East Africa, founded by renowned artist Diamond Platnumz. Under this label, Rayvanny released his debut single “Kwetu,” which quickly became a hit across East Africa.
His rise to fame continued as he received multiple nominations for prestigious awards such as the MTV Africa Music Awards and BET Awards. In 2021, he established his own record label named Next Level Music to further develop his artistic vision and support other emerging artists.
Musical Style and Achievements
Rayvanny is primarily known for his contributions to the Bongo Flava genre—a popular Tanzanian music style that blends hip-hop with traditional African rhythms. His lyrics are predominantly in Swahili, making them accessible to a wide audience across East Africa.
One of his most notable collaborations was with Colombian singer Maluma on the song “Mama Tetema,” which was originally released featuring Diamond Platnumz. This collaboration not only won him an award at the East Africa Arts Entertainment Awards but also earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album due to its inclusion on Maluma’s album “Don Juan,” released in May 2023.
Throughout his career, Rayvanny has achieved several milestones:
He became the first Tanzanian artist to perform at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA).
He was recognized as the first Tanzanian act to reach over 100 million streams on Boomplay.
He remains the only Tanzanian artist to have won a BET Award.
Recent Developments
As of November 2024, Rayvanny continues to release new music and collaborate with various artists. His recent singles include “Muvivu” and features on tracks like “Fall” alongside other prominent musicians. His ongoing work reflects his commitment to evolving as an artist while promoting Bongo Flava on international platforms.
In summary, Rayvanny is a prominent Tanzanian musician known for his significant contributions to Bongo Flava music, marked by numerous awards and collaborations that have elevated his status both regionally and internationally.
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