Kirani Ayat

Last updated

Kirani Ayat
Kirani Ayat performing at Jamestown coffee house October 2022.jpg
Kirani Ayat performing at Jamestown Coffee House in October 2022
Background information
Birth nameAyat Maqwam Salis
Born (1990-07-10) 10 July 1990 (age 32)
Madina, Ghana
Genres Afrobeats, Hip hop, Hiplife, Afro-trap, Afropop
Occupation(s)Musician, rapper, singer and producer
Instrument(s)Keyboard, sampler
Years active2008–present
Website http://kiraniayat.com/

Ayat Maqwam Salis [1] (born 10 July 1990), better known by his stage name Kirani Ayat, is a Ghanaian musician, rapper, singer and producer. Kirani Ayat started his music professionally as Mr. Ayat in 2008 and later rebranded to "Billy Banger" in 2010 during that period, where he recorded and released several mixtapes, which made a little impact locally. In 2011, as "Billy Banger" he recorded and released "aint easy", a hip-hop/RnB song which had an honorable mention in the Hip-hop category at the 2011 International Songwriting Competition out of over 17,000 entries. [2] Kirani Ayat's hit records include "Kudi", "I Don't Know You (IDKY)", "Play For Keeps (SOYAYA)" and "Dodo".

Contents

Early life and education

Kirani Ayat grew up in Madina, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. He first attended Madina Islamic JHS, where he completed his Junior Secondary School level education. He then gained admission into West Africa Secondary School for his secondary level education, where he started pursuing a professional musical career with the moniker "Mr. Ayat", before rebranding to "Billy Banger". After high school, he pursued Information Technology (IT) courses at IPMC and got admission into University, but dropped out later to pursue a full-time music career. [3]

Music career

In 2014, Kirani Ayat collaborated with Mal of Griotz Music and producer Mike Millz to release a joint EP titled "The TrapLife 2.0" EP. This was his last project under his "Billy Banger" moniker. This project received average reviews but gave him a lot of blog coverage and presence in the Ghana hip hop scene. [4]

In 2015, Kirani Ayat then called "Billy Banger" decided to change his stage name to his original birth name Ayat, which means Life in Arabic. In a conversation with music reporters, Kirani Ayat confirmed the name change but emphasized that the rebrand was rather a transition into a new era for his growing music career than just a change of name. [5]

In 2016, Kirani Ayat disclosed that he sold 85% of his belongings to make the inaugural edition of his MADFEST – an acronym for Music of African Descent Festival happen. [6] MADFEST had an extensive list of budding and established hip-hop acts in the country gracing the show, including Akan, Worlasi, M.anifest, AJ Nelson, and Medikal. [7]

In 2017, he released his widely anticipated debut EP, ZAMANI to critical acclaim. The Afro trap influenced EP had Kirani AYAT touching on the themes of hope, dreams, success, and love. And within a year, the 26-year-old has been featured in some of the biggest songs in the country. [8] He worked with popular Ghana rappers: Sarkodie on Dodo, Medikal on 4get Everybody, Edem on the Egboame Remix and EL. on Bars. [9]

In 2019, Kirani Ayat released “Her Vibe Is Right” EP. The seven-track exteded play included collaborations with award-winning Ghanaian musicians Efya, Magnom, and Joeboy. [10] The EP generally received positive reviews from most music critics for its notable tracks "HONEY" which featured Ghanaian musician and producer, Magnom. [11]

In 2022, Kirani Ayat released his highly anticipated debut studio album titled "Aisha's Sun". The album featured Worlasi, Sarkodie & Morell. Production was handled by Sonnie KaySo Owusu, Altra N O V A, OKAIWAV, NiiQuaye Muses, AlmightyTrei & SELVSSE. The album served as a chronicle of Ayat's life, documenting his journey from adolescence to adulthood. [12]

The tracks on "Aisha's Sun" delved into various aspects of Kirani Ayat's life and experiences. For instance, the song "Aisha's Son" reflected on his upbringing, while his collaboration with Worlasi on the song "Fada Na" addressed societal issues. "Duniya" and "Dan Kasa" explored themes of family and religion, while "Sarki" and "GUDA" touched on his aspirations and ambitions.

The album generally received positive reviews from most music critics for its rich cultural influences, lyrical depth, and Kirani Ayat's versatile vocal performances. [13]

Discography

Albums

Extented Plays

Singles

World Tours and Notable performances

Kirani Ayat started off the year 2017 with a tour to the United States. This was to promote his new song by then debut EP "ZAMANI". Ayat first landed in Los Angeles at The Airliner in Downtown LA. He then continued to East coast. [16]

Awards and nominations

Honorable mention in the Hip hop category at the International Songwriting Competition out of over 17,000 entries. [17] At the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Kirani Ayat's video for his "Guda" single which was directed by David Nico-Sey got a nomination for Best Video of the Year. [18] The video for "Guda" also received a nomination at 3Music Awards 2019: [19]

On 17 November 2019, Kirani Ayat won the Overall Best Video Award with his "Guda" hit track at 4SyteTV Music Video Awards 2019. [20]

Controversy

On September 27, 2022, Kirani Ayat became embroiled in a controversy regarding the unauthorized use of his music video 'Guda' for promotional purposes by the Ghanaian government's tourism industry. He expressed disappointment that his video was used without his consent, despite his previous attempts to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism for promoting tourism in the Northern region using his video. [21] The issue sparked discussions about copyright infringement and proper permission for artistic works. In a video shared on President Akufo-Addo’s Twitter handle, excerpts from Kirani Ayat's 'Guda' music video were used as promotion for Ghana's tourism industry. [22] This utilization of his work without his consent led Kirani Ayat to address the issue through a series of tweets that quickly went viral. He expressed his disappointment that the Ministry of Tourism did not respond to his previous attempts to collaborate on promoting tourism in the Northern region using his video. [23]

The director of the 'Guda' music video, David Nicol-Sey, also expressed frustration at the lack of due diligence by the Government of Ghana in obtaining proper permission for using the video.

In response, the Ghana Tourism Authority issued a statement, shifting the blame to SAMSAL Company Limited, an advertising firm, for the copyright infringement. However, SAMSAL denied responsibility for the copyright blunder in their own statement. [24]

Support and encouragement for Kirani Ayat poured in from Ghanaians and celebrities alike, urging him to pursue legal action against the government for copyright infringement. Kirani Ayat expressed gratitude for the support he received in his fight for justice. [25]

Ghana has previously undertaken successful tourism initiatives, such as the "Year of Return" launched in 2019, aimed at promoting the country to visitors from around the world. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EL (rapper)</span> Ghanaian rapper

Elom Adablah, better known by his stage name E.L, is a Ghanaian Afrobeats musician, rapper, singer and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.anifest</span> Ghanaian rapper and musician

Kwame Ametepee Tsikata, known professionally as M.anifest is a Ghanaian musician, rapper and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarkodie (rapper)</span> Ghanaian rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur

Michael Owusu Addo known professionally as Sarkodie, is a Ghanaian rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Tema. His contributions to the Ghanaian music industry have earned him numerous accolades, including the Vodafone Ghana Music Award for "Artiste of the Decade". He was announced the first winner of BET's Best International Flow artist at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards. He is also considered one of the major proponents of the Azonto genre and dance and one of the most successful African rappers of all time.

Deborah Owusu-Bonsu better known by her stage name as Sister Derby or Sister Deborah is a Ghanaian-Romanian television presenter, musician and model of Akan origin and a former presenter at e.tv Ghana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D-Black</span> Ghanaian hiphop musician

Desmond Kwesi Blackmore, known by his stage name D-Black, is an anglophone hip-hop and Afrobeat musician and entrepreneur from Ghana. He has been described as "a successful entertainment mogul"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey B</span> Ghanaian musician

Darryl Paa Kwesi Bannerman-Martin, known under the stage name Joey B, is a Ghanaian hip hop recording artist. He is well known for his single "Tonga".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AJ Nelson</span> Ghanaian recording artist

Adjei Nelson Otumfour, better known by his stage name AJ Nelson is a Ghanaian recording artist and activist. He is most famous for the singles “Same Girl,” “Faith” and “Power to the People”. He was the first Ghanaian musician to rap in Bono language. In 2015, AJ Nelson released the song titled “Power To the People” and lead a campaign in Ghana to encourage youths not only from Ghana but also from other parts of Africa to speak against the corruption and conflicts the continent is engulfed in and hold their political leaders accountable. According to AJ Nelson, the people most affected need to be empowered to voice their thoughts out to their leaders. The campaign got the attention of top Ghanaian personalities including the renowned Head of Global Paliamentary Engagement at World Bank, Mr. Kofi Tsikata and media personality Berla Mundi who both joined the campaign. In November 2015, the song was ranked the 3rd most downloaded Ghanaian Hiphop Song on iTunes. AJ Nelson was ranked the 3rd top-selling artist on iTunes in November 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Eazi</span> Nigerian singer (born 1991)

Oluwatosin Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape, titled Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos, was released in 2017.

Samuel Adu Frimpong, popularly known as Medikal, is a Ghanaian hip hop musician born to Portia Lamptey and James Frimpong in Sowutuom, a suburb of Accra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eno Barony</span> Ghanaian female rapper

Ruth Eno Adjoa Amankwah Nyame Adom, known professionally by her stage name Eno Barony, is a Ghanaian rapper and songwriter. Born in Tema, Accra, she released her debut single, "Wats Ma Name" and also "Tonga", the remix of the track "Tonga" by Joey B ft Sarkodie in 2014 that lifted her into the limelight. It was claimed she was the first Ghanaian female rapper to hit a million views on YouTube.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sista Afia</span> Ghanaian musician

Francisca Gawugah known by the stage name Sista Afia, is a Ghanaian singer and songwriter from Accra. She gained recognition following the release of her single "Jeje", which features dancehall artist Shatta Wale and Afezi Perry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.O.G Beatz</span> Ghanaian music producer

John Kwesi Dosunmu-Mensah better known as M.O.G Beatz, is a Ghanaian record producer who specializes in Afro-pop, Hip hop, Afrobeats, R&B, Hiplife, Fuji and Highlife.

DopeNation is a Ghanaian musical duo of identical twin brothers, composed of Micheal Boafo popularly known as B2, and Tony Boafo known as Twist. They are best known for producing hit songs such as Kpuu Kpaa by Shatta wale, Wow by Joey B ft EL, Sebgefia by Joey B and EL, Poison by Ebony Reigns, Forever by Eazzy ft Mr Eazi, Nana Ama by Pappy Kojo, among others and chunning out hits for themselves as Artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darkovibes</span> Ghanaian musician

Paul Nii Amu Andrew Darko known as Darkovibes, is a Ghanaian born singer songwriter. His music categorizes as experimental music where he blends highlife, hip hop and rap. Darkovibes is known for his 2016 single 'Mercy'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwesi Arthur</span> Ghanaian/ American rapper/ singer

Emmanuel Kwesi Danso Arthur Junior, known professionally as Kwesi Arthur, is a Ghanaian rapper, singer and songwriter from Tema, his old friend xjiga. Elisha Jnr Davidson. He rose to fame in 2017 with the hit single "Grind day" which received wide spread acclaim and a co-sign from rap heavyweights Sarkodie and Medikal. In 2019, his second EP Live from Nkrumah Krom Vol II garnered more than 2 million streams in the first week of its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">$pacely</span> Ghanaian musician

Elorm Kabu Amenyah professionally known as $pacely is a Ghanaian rapper and singer. He is a member of trap music collective La Meme Gang. He has collaborated with Kwesi Arthur, Nxwrth, RJZ, Pappy Kojo, Kiddblack, KwakuBS, Kofi Mole and Darkovibes. He released his debut EP Fine$$e or Be Fine$$ed in 2019, which features songs like "Somimu" and "Uber" featuring Cina Soul and Joey B. respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nana Kwasi Wiafe</span>

Gideon Akwasi Wiafe also known as Nana Kwasi Wiafe is a Ghanaian international fashion model, stylist and creative director. He is the founder of ThouArtKwasi, a high fashion styling brand that seeks to create high end fashion editorial looks and esthetics that reflects the stories of individuals and brands in Ghana and other African countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amerado</span> Ghanaian rapper (born 1995)

Derrick Sarfo Kantanka,, best known as Amerado, is a Ghanaian rapper from Kumasi. He is the curator of Yeete Nsem, Ghana's first news casting rap series.

Sony Kwame Owusu, known professionally as Kayso , From Tema or Beat Nyame, is a Ghanaian record producer, and recording artist from Ashanti Region. KaySo has produced singles for a number of well known artists in diverse genres, ranging from Hip Hop, Afrobeats, R&B, Afroswing, Hiplife and Highlife. Artists KaySo has worked with include Becca, Kwesi Arthur, KiDi, Sarkodie, Medikal, Ice Prince, Darkovibes, $pacely, Kofi Mole, Dj Mic Smith, Kirani Ayat, Wiyaala, Stonebwoy, Blaqbonez, Pappy Kojo, Cina Soul, Mugeez, Offei and Magnom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Beatz</span> Ghanaian DJ and record producer

Ivan Beatz is a Ghanaian record producer, DJ, and composer from the Central part of Ghana. Afro-pop, Hip hop, Afrobeats, R&B, Rock, Hiplife, Fuji, and Highlife are some of his specialties.

References

  1. ↑ "Did You Know The Real and Full Names of These New Acts? Check This Out".
  2. ↑ "International Song Writing Competitions 2017" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "Get To Know Rapper Ayat". MediaHomeGh.com. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "This How Rapper Ayat (@Ayatmaq) Label His Music" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Billy Banger Now AYAT" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  6. ↑ "Ghanaian Rapper sells His Personal Belongings to Host A Concert in Madina" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Worlasi, Akan, Teephlow, Medikal, others for AYAT's Madfest 2016" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  8. ↑ "AYAT Zamani Talks Afro Spiritual music, ambition and the New Age for African music". 27 May 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "TEN MOMENTS IN GH MUSIC: 2016". 9 January 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  10. ↑ dcleakers (10 April 2019). "Kirani AYAT - Her Vibe Is Right EP". DCLeakers.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  11. ↑ Ndwompafie (10 April 2019). "Kirani Ayat – Her Vibe Is Right (EP)". Ndwompafie.net. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "Kirani Ayat Breaks Long Time Silence With Debut Album, 'Aisha's Sun'". www.ghgossip.com. 19 September 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  13. ↑ dcleakers (16 September 2022). "ALBUM : Kirani Ayat - Aisha's Sun". DCLeakers.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  14. ↑ dcleakers (16 September 2022). "ALBUM : Kirani Ayat - Aisha's Sun". DCLeakers.com. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  15. ↑ Ndwompafie (10 April 2019). "Kirani Ayat – Her Vibe Is Right (EP)". Ndwompafie.net. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "AYAT Zamani EP USA Tour" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  17. ↑ "International Song Writing Competitions 2017" . Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  18. ↑ "Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". Music in Africa. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "Video: 3Music Awards 2019 – Who wins Video of the Year Award?". myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "4SyteTV Music Video Awards 2019: Shatta Wale bags 5 awards". 17 November 2019.
  21. 1 2 Akai, Jonathan (29 September 2022). "All you need to know about the Kirani Ayat versus Ghana Government Copyright Saga". Bra Perucci Africa. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  22. ↑ Music, Emmanuel Ghansah, Ghana (27 September 2022). "Kirani Ayat calls out Nana Addo & MoTAC for using his intellectual property!". Ghana Music. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "Kirani Ayat takes on gov't over tourism video; demands name of agency engaged for the project". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  24. ↑ "Ghanaian rapper Kirani Ayat takes on govt for copyright infringement". Music In Africa. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "Compensate Ayat Kirani; says Fuse ODG as he also calls out gov't over copyright infringement". Pulse Ghana. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.