Ykee Benda | |
|---|---|
| Born | Wycliff Tugume November 11, 1991 [1] |
| Origin | Kampala, Uganda |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | Mpaka Records |
Wycliff Tugume (born 11 November 1991), professionally known as Ykee Benda, is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, and music executive. He is the founder and CEO of the record label Mpaka Records and served as the president of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA). [2]
He rose to prominence in 2016 with hit songs like "Muna Kampala" and the remix of "Farmer," and is known for his versatile style that blends Afrobeats with pop, R&B, and dancehall influences. [3]
Wycliff Tugume was born in Kireka, a suburb of Kampala, to Alex and Ruth Mpakanyi. [1] He attended primary and secondary school in Uganda before moving to Algeria to pursue higher education. He enrolled at the University of Annaba, where he graduated with a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering. [4]
During his time in Algeria, he began honing his musical skills by writing songs and performing for fellow university students. Despite graduating as an engineer, he chose to pursue a professional music career upon his return to Uganda in 2015. [4]
Ykee Benda launched his professional music career in 2016. His first major single, "Muna Kampala" (I am from Kampala), gained significant airplay and introduced his unique sound to the Ugandan audience. His breakthrough was cemented with the song "Farmer," which became a national hit. The subsequent remix, featuring prominent female artist Sheebah Karungi, became one of the biggest songs of 2017 and expanded his fanbase significantly. [3] [5]
In December 2017, he released his debut studio album, titled Kireka Boy, which featured many of his popular singles and collaborations. The album was launched with a successful concert at the Kampala Serena Hotel, confirming his status as a major artist in the industry. [6]
In 2019, Ykee Benda founded his own record label, Mpaka Records, a move aimed at professionalizing his music business and nurturing new talent. [7] One of the first artists signed to the label was Dre Cali, who achieved success under its management. [8] Through Mpaka Records, Benda has expanded his role from an artist to a music executive, involved in talent management, production, and music publishing.
In September 2020, Ykee Benda was named the acting president of the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA), following the resignation of his predecessor. He later assumed the presidency officially. During his tenure, he advocated for unity among artists, better copyright enforcement, and government support for the creative industry, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]
However, citing persistent infighting and a lack of unity within the association, he resigned from the presidency in February 2021, after serving for less than a year. [2]
Ykee Benda is noted for his vocal ability and versatile musical style, which incorporates elements of R&B, pop, and dancehall into an Afrobeats foundation. He sings in multiple languages, including English, Luganda, and French, which he learned during his time in Algeria. His music often explores themes of love, romance, and social life. He has collaborated with numerous Ugandan and international artists, including Reekado Banks (Nigeria), Jason Derulo (USA), and various top artists from East Africa.
Ykee Benda has received numerous awards and nominations in recognition of his contributions to the Ugandan music industry.
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Buzz Teeniez Awards | Teeniez Breakout Artist | Himself | Won | [10] |
| Teeniez Male Artist | Won | ||||
| Teeniez Songwriter of the Year | Himself | Won | |||
| 2017 | Uganda Entertainment Awards | Best New Artist | Himself | Won | [11] |
| 2018 | Zzina Awards | Best Male Artist | Himself | Won | [12] |
| Best Collaboration of the Year | "Farmer (Remix)" (with Sheebah) | Won | |||
| African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) | Best Newcomer | Himself | Won | [13] | |
| 2019 | Zzina Awards | Best Male Artist | Himself | Won | [14] |
| 2021 | Janzi Awards | Outstanding Album of the Year | Kirabo | Nominated | [15] |