Musician Iyanii has been in the music scene for a long time, but 2025 has been one of the most successful years of his career, with the back-to-back releases of hits 'Donjo Maber' and 'Tamu'. These have led to him receiving many bookings, from corporate events to concerts.
His decision to donate a sound system to Kamiti Prison was inspired by his own experiences and an awareness of the realities that prisoners endure. They may have offended, but they still deserve love and dignity.
Prisoners are often forgotten, which is why I have resolved to allocate 20 percent of my gig earnings to prison charity work. My mission is to bring music to prisons. My music is about happiness, and I want it to reach even the most neglected places. People don't realise that I have been visiting prisons for the last three years to spread love. That fills my heart with joy.
I grew up in Mathare, Area Two, a place known as much for survival as for crime. It's the kind of environment that forces you to choose early in life: become the bad guy or the good one. I am grateful that my path led me to music. Some of my friends became thugs. Some were shot dead. Others are in prison.
Ian Oure popularly known as Iyanii poses for a picture on the streets after the interview on October 25, 2024.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation
I carry a bullet mark on my right arm, a constant reminder of how thin the line between life and death can be. One day, when we were in town, one of my friends tried to steal a mobile phone. The police were nearby and opened fire as we scattered. I was hit in the arm without realising it. It was only when I got into a matatu that a woman pointed out that I was bleeding. One of my childhood friends was gunned down that day.
I dropped out of university after just one year because my parents couldn't afford the tuition fees. This is how I ended up joining Sauti Academy on a scholarship, training to be a musician. Many successful people in this industry, such as Njeru, Watendawili, Bensoul, Vijan Baru Baru, Hart the Band and Mutoriah, passed through Sauti Academy. That's why I was so sad when the academy closed down in 2020.
Sauti Academy made me. When I released my first hit song, 'Pombe', I was dismissed as a one-hit wonder by many people because I just appeared out of nowhere. Then I released 'Furaha', which became so popular that it got me my first gig outside the country. I received invitations to perform in Qatar and Dubai. That song was the hit that got me on a plane for the first time.
Now, I see my critics applauding me. Most people only see the glory. They never take the time to understand the story.
Ian Oure popularly known as Iyanii poses for a picture on the streets after the interview on October 25, 2024.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation
When nobody in the industry knew my name, the late Fyah Mama Njamby gave me my first gig. She believed in my talent and trusted me with my first paid performance. She used to host shows at the Arboretum. One day, she invited me to open for Hart the Band. I went along with no expectation of payment, as all I wanted was an opportunity to showcase my talent.
At the end of the day, she paid me Sh20,000. She also helped me get interviews with the media and introduced me to other event organisers. Gradually, people started to recognise me. I will be forever grateful for that, and I continue to pray for her soul.
