Ykee Benda
Ykee Benda
Tugume Wycliff, professionally known by his stage name Ykee Benda (born November 11, 1992), is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, and record producer whose musical styles incorporates elements of Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and R&B. He broke through musically in 2016, and has collaborated with both international and African artists including Jason Derulo, Tekno, and Reekado Banks.
Early Life and Education:
Ykee Benda was born and raised in Kireka, a suburb of Kampala, Uganda. His musical journey began in his local church, where he began to develop his musical skills. Despite earning a degree in engineering[1] from Annaba University in Algeria, his passion for music led him to pursue a full-time career in the industry.
Music Career:
In 2017, Ykee Benda gained recognition with the release of the remix "Farmer" featuring Sheebah Karungi[2], followed by singles like "Superman," along with subsequent releases such as "Kyenkyebula," "Muna Kampala" among others.
Record Label(s):
In addition to his music career[3], Ykee Benda founded Mpaka Records[4], a platform for both his own music and emerging talents in East Africa. Recent signings as of 2024 include the duo UgaBoys.
In late 2023, Ykee Benda entered into a partnership with Empire, a global music distribution and publishing company, with the aim of expanding Ykee Benda's international reach[5].
Leadership roles
Ykee Benda has also served as the president of the Uganda Musicians association in 2020[6], a role he later resigned from[7].
Philanthropy:
Ykee Benda is involved in philanthropic endeavors, including his role as a director at Golden High School[8], an educational institution in Uganda. He has also collaborated with organizations such as Reach A Hand, focusing on youth education.
Personal Life:
Ykee Benda maintains a private personal life, occasionally sharing moments with his son, Dante. His company Mpaka was named after his father, Mpakanyi Alex.
Awards:
Ykee Benda has received recognition in the music industry, including awards such as:
Best Newcomer at the Afrimma Awards in 2018[9]
Buzz Teeniez Awards 2017[10]
Galaxy FM Zinna Awards 2018.
Discography:
Ykee Benda's discography includes studio albums such as
"Kireka Boy" (2017),
"Kirabo" (2021)[11],
The EP "Bomboclat" (2020),
with a catalog of over 70 songs as of January 2024.
References
- ↑ "Focus on books first – Ykee Benda advises youth". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ Asingwire, Mzee (2023-10-12). "How Sheebah helped Ykee Benda close deal with his dad". Pulse Uganda. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ↑ "Ykee Benda, Feffe and Karole Kasita turn up Mubs". Monitor. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ Digital, Standard. "Singer Ykee Benda robbed clean, suffers huge setback". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ "Ykee Benda launches Kigampala Festival". www.newtimes.co.rw. 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ "Ykee benda swears in as new UMA President". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ Kitimbo, Pearl Elisabeth (2021-02-04). "Ykee Benda To Step Down as President of Uganda Musicians Association". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ "Uganda Music Association elects new leadership". Music In Africa. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ↑ Independent, The (2018-10-09). "Eddy Kenzo and Ykee Benda win big at AFRIMMA". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ↑ Muhindo, Clare (2017-05-14). "Ykee Benda dominates Teeniez Awards – Sqoop – Get Uganda entertainment news, celebrity gossip, videos and photos". Retrieved 2024-03-12.
- ↑ CORRESPONDENT, GILBERT KAZIBWE | PML Daily (2021-08-17). "Ykee Benda outs studio 'Kirabo' album". PML Daily. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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