William Nicholaus Lyimo (born 11 April 1993), popularly known by his stage name Bill Nass, is a Tanzanian rapper of Chagga heritage, he was born in the Tanga Region.[1][2][3]MTV Base named him among the "50 Artists To Watch For In 2017". He is currently based in Dar es Salaam.[4][5] Months after the release of his debut single "Raha",[6] Lyimo was nominated as the "New Best Artist" at the 2015's Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards (KTMA).[7][8] He won the 2022 Tanzania Music Award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist[9]
Over the following ten years, he released multiple songs, collaborated with other artists, and received various awards. In 2021, he founded his own record label, Mafioso Inc. His single Puuh, featuring Jay Melody, reached number one on Boomplay charts for six weeks and accumulated over 51 million streams. Billnass has remained a notable figure in the Tanzanian music industry and continues to maintain a significant following on digital platforms.[10]
Bill Nass started his primary education at Mbuyuni Primary School in Tanga from 2000 to 2003 then moved to Mkunguni Primary School in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam. He later joined Oysterbay Secondary School from 2007 to 2010 where he completed his secondary studies. From 2011 to 2013, he studied for a Diploma in Procurement and supplies management at the College Of Business Education Dar es Salaam Campus. In 2014, he rejoined the college until 2017 where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Procurement and supplies Management[12][13]
Career
MTV Base named him as one of the "Best 50 Artists to Watch For In 2017". Later In 2017, Nass made his debut on Coke Studio Africa as a Big Breakthrough Artist, performed alongside Uganda's Sheeba and Ethiopia's Asgegenew.[14][15][16]
Lyimo has performed several times on Fiesta, a concert that has been managed by Clouds Fm Radio for years. Also in 2019, he performed on Wasafi Festival's[17] stage.
Through his Instagram page, Bill Nass shared the advent of "Love Tour" with his fiancée Nandy with whom they have collaborated in various songs like "Bugana"[18] and "Do Me".[19]
As of September 2025, Bill Nass has an approximately 8 million followers on his digital platforms.
Awards
He won the Best Hip Hop Artist in 2022 at the Tanzania Music Awards [20]
In April 2025, Billnass was named Best Male Rapper East Africa at the East Africa Arts Entertainment Awards (EAEA), recognizing his contributions to the East African hip-hop scene. Competing with prominent rappers from Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, he won the award for his artistry, innovation, and influence. The accolade highlighted both his individual achievements and the growing prominence of Tanzanian rap within the regional music industry.[21]
Chuo Kwa Chuo By Nenga
Chuo Kwa Chuo is a youth-focused initiative launched by Tanzanian hip hop artist Billnass in 2024. It involved touring universities and colleges across Tanzania with a mix of live performances, talent competitions, and educational discussions on issues like mental health and entrepreneurship. The project aimed to empower students, promote local talent, and merge music with learning. While it was widely praised, one incident at TIA Dar es Salaam sparked online debate, leading Billnass to issue a public apology. Overall, Chuo Kwa Chuo has been recognized as a creative platform connecting music, culture, and youth empowerment.[22]
Personal life
In 2018, Lyimo and his wife Nandy, were shortly detained by the Tanzanian authorities for sharing what was considered as indecent online content.[23]
The couple's journey has been one of love and partnership. They officially tied the knot in 2022 in an exquisite wedding attended by close friends and family. Since then, they have been open about their relationship and their desire to build a strong, loving family. In 2024, there's was rumours about the couple's expectations for their second child[28], as of 2025, they publicly known to have one child.
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Tanzania