Ykee Benda, real name Tugume Wycliff, is a Ugandan musician and producer popular for songs include Munakampala, Farmer and Malaika among others. He makes his debut on Coke Studio Africa 2017 in the Big Break Segment collaborating with Jah Prayzah (Zimbabwe) and Mr Bow (Mozambique).
HIS BIG BREAK
The multi-talented Ykee Benda started doing covers before launching his professional career in November 2015. This year, he won Breakthrough Artist and Best Collaboration of the Year in the recently concluded Zzina Awards (Uganda).
HE DOES IT ALL ON HIS OWN
Besides recording music, Ykee writes songs for himself and other artists as well. He also produces his own tracks. His inspiration comes from listening to African contemporary music and the Afro Beat genre. He has collaborated with Coke Studio Africa 2017 diva from Uganda, Sheebah Karungi on the remix of his song Farmer – a hit song that is credited with putting him on the map. Besides music, Benda is also a representative of Reach a Hand, an initiative that supports girl education.
BEHIND THE MUSIC
Ykee Benda was born to Alex and Ruth Mpakanyi and is the seventh born in a family of eight. He grew up in Kireka, a suburb in the Ugandan capital Kampala. Benda started singing in the Sunday school choir in a small church around his home and his passion for music grew tremendously while in campus in Annaba, Algeria, where he started by doing covers of different kinds of music while learning song writing and vocal training. Ykee also loves football and is a staunch supporter of the Arsenal Football Club.