Rayvanny
{{short description|Tanzanian singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rayvanny
| image =
| birth_name = Raymond Mwakyusa
| alias = Vannyboy .Chui.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|08|22}}
| birth_place = Nzovwe, Mbeya Region, Tanzania
| origin = Tukuyu, Mbeya Region
| genre = Bongo flava, afro-pop
| occupation = Singer-songwriter, dancer
| instrument = Vocals, piano, guitar, drums
| years_active = 2011–present
| label = WCB Wasafi (former)
Next Level Music (current)
| associated_acts = Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Mbosso, Lava Lava
| notable_instruments =
}}
Raymond Shaban (born 22 August 1993),{{Cite web |title=Rayvanny |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo7hxTE3HeKVuu4K7N0dMYQ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=YouTube |language=en}} better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician,{{Cite web|url=https://www.coke.co.za/cokestudio/profile/profile_rayvanny/|title=Coke Studio Season 3 – Rayvanny|website=www.coke.co.za|language=en|access-date=3 October 2017}} songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label until July 2022. He was born and raised in Nzovwe ward of Mbeya city, located in Mbeya Region. He is the most successful bongo flava musician in Tanzania from Mbeya region. His songs are mainly in Swahili. He is also the founder and CEO of Next Level Music. Rayvanny is best known by his song "Kwetu", which introduced him to the world. Rayvanny was mentioned by MTV Base among "Acts To Look Out For" in 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtvbase.com/news/acts-to-lookout-for-in-2017/vnwv7i|title=mtv news {{!}} top african acts to lookout for in 2017 {{!}} MTV Africa|website=www.mtvbase.com|access-date=3 October 2017}}
Later on August 1, 2022, a Colombian version of his song, Mama Tetema he made collaborating with a Colombian musician, Maluma won him an award in EAEA People's Choice, Best Global Collaboration category on East Africa Arts Entertainment Awards (EAEA){{Cite web |last=Derola |first=Kelvin |date=2022-08-02 |title=List Of East Africa Arts Entertainment Awards Winners 2022 - Offblogmedia |url=https://offblogmedia.com/east-africa-arts-entertainment-awards-winners-2022/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |language=en-US}}
Rayvanny was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Latin Pop Album category for his collaboration with Colombian singer Maluma on their song “Mama Tetema” which was originally made by Rayvanny featuring Diamond Platnumz being produced by S2Kizzy. This song also featured on Maluma's album “Don Juan”, which was released in May 2023.
Career
In 2011, when Rayvanny was still in high school, he realized his passion for music. He won a rap freestyle competition. In 2012 he joined a music group called Tip Top Connection, where he got more experience in his music career and connected with a lot of artists.
In 2015 he decided to officially join one of the biggest record labels, WCB Wasafi Records,{{Cite web|url=https://www.wasafi.com/artist-detail?id=3|title=Wasafi|website=www.wasafi.com|language=en|access-date=3 October 2017|archive-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003174643/https://www.wasafi.com/artist-detail?id=3|url-status=dead}} which is managed and under the leadership of Diamond Platnumz. He released his first song, "Kwetu", in 2016. It became a hit in East Africa.
In 2016, Rayvanny was nominated for an MTV Africa Music Award{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtvbase.com/news/final-stage-of-nominations-for-mamas/na8xcd|title=mtv news {{!}} final stage of nominations for mamas {{!}} MTV Africa|website=www.mtvbase.com|access-date=3 October 2017}} in the category of Breakthrough Act 2016. In 2017 he was also nominated for several music awards, such as AEUSA for Best New Talent, Uganda Entertainment Award for Best African Act, and BET Award for International Viewers' Choice.{{Cite news|url=http://matookerepublic.com/2017/06/25/diamond-platnumz-boy-ray-vanny-wins-east-africas-second-bet-award/|title=Diamond Platnumz boy Ray Vanny wins East Africa's second BET Award|date=24 June 2017|work=Matooke Republic|access-date=3 October 2017|language=en-GB}}
In 2021, Rayvanny founded his own record label, Next Level Music and signed his first artist called Mac Voice.{{Cite web|last=Ngina|first=Fay|title=Rayvanny launches own record label|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/showbiz/2001405844/rayvanny-launches-own-record-label?amp=1|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Rayvanny launches own record label|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|title=Rayvanny Launches Own Record Label|date=10 March 2021 |url=https://nairobiwire.com/2021/03/rayvanny-launches-own-record-label.html|access-date=2021-04-15|language=en-US}}
In November 2021, Rayvanny collaborates with Maluma on the title "Mama Tetema". "Mama Tetema" was certified Disco de Oro in 2022 by RIAA.{{cite certification|region=United States|title=Mama Tetema|access-date=March 31, 2022}}
In July 2022, He left WCB to focus on his own record label, Next Level Music.{{Cite web |last=Ngina |first=Fay |title=Rayvanny officially leaves WCB Wasafi |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/showbiz/article/2001450135/rayvanny-officially-leaves-wcb-wasafi |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Standard Entertainment |language=en}}
Rayvanny holds several notable records including the record of being the first Tanzanian / African act to perform at the stage of MTV EMA, first Tanzanian act to clock 100 Million streams on Boomplay and the only Tanzanian artist to ever win a BET Award.{{Cite web | title=Rayvanny becomes the 1st African Act To Perform At MTV EMA — citiMuzik | url=https://www.citimuzik.com/2021/11/rayvanny-becomes-the-1st-african-act-to-perform-at-mtv-ema.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216044302/https://www.citimuzik.com/2021/11/rayvanny-becomes-the-1st-african-act-to-perform-at-mtv-ema.html | access-date=2025-02-17 | archive-date=2022-12-16}}{{cite web | url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/news/rayvanny-hits-100-million-streams-on-boomplay/ | title=Rayvanny Hits 100 Million Streams on Boomplay | Notjustok East Africa | date=28 March 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/magazines/rayvanny-diamond-s-prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9-who-beat-the-odds-at-bet-awards-2594730 | title=Rayvanny, Diamond's protégé who beat the odds at BET awards | date=2 April 2021 }}
Discography
Since his debut in 2016 under WCB Wasafi, Rayvanny has released 1 album and a total of 5 EPs.
| class="wikitable"
!Song title !Year !Ref.{{Cite web|url=http://notjustok.com/eastafrica/?s=RAYVANNY|title=You searched for RAYVANNY – Notjustok East Africa|website=Notjustok East Africa|language=en-US|access-date=3 October 2017}} |
| "Kwetu"
|2016 | |
| "Natafuta Kiki"
|2016 | |
| "Sugu"
|2017 | |
| "Mbeleko"
|2017 | |
| "Shikwambi"
|2017 | |
| "Zezeta"
|2017 | |
| "Chuma Ulete"
|2017 | |
| "Unaibiwa"
|2017 | |
| "Chuchuma"
|2019 | |
| "Tetema"
|2019 | |
| "Chuchuma"
|2019 | |
| "Gimi Dat"
|2019 |
Awards and nominations
{{Infobox musician awards
| name = Rayvanny
| image =
| image_size = 220px
| alt =
| caption =
| wins = 2
| nominations = 3
}}
= MTV Africa Music Awards=
{{Awards table}}
|-
|2016
|Himself
|Breakthrough Act
|{{Nominated}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtvbase.com/news/final-stage-of-nominations-for-mamas/na8xcd/|title=MTV Base Africa}}
{{end}}
= BET Awards =
{{Awards table}}
|-
|2017
|Himself
|International Viewers' Choice Award
|{{won}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2017/bet-international/nominees/international-viewers-choice-award.html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613172645/http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2017/bet-international/nominees/international-viewers-choice-award.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2017|title=Celebrities, Music, News, Entertainment, TV Shows & Videos|website=BET}}
{{end}}
= African Muzik Magazine Awards =
{{Awards table}}
|-
|2017
|Himself
|Best Newcomer
{{end}}
= Afrimma =
{{Awards table}}
|-
|2022
|Himself
|Best Male East Africa
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Tanzania}}
{{Sister project links | commons=yes | wikt=no | q=no | b=no | n=no |s=no | v=no | voy=no | species=no |d=Q41555515 | display=Rayvanny}}
- {{YouTube|channel=Rayvannychui|Rayvanny}}
- [https://www.bongoxxl.com/tag/rayvanny/ Bongo XXL]
{{Authority control}}
Category:People from Mbeya Region
Category:Swahili-language singers of Tanzania