Rapper and singer Ayat Maqwam Salis, popularly known as Kirani AYAT has pledged to win a GRAMMY award with the use of the Hausa language in his songs.
The Guda hitmaker made this vow in a tweet last Saturday.
He wrote: “I’m going to win a GRAMMY with the Hausa language. Insha Allah.”
Asked if he had a blueprint laid down to bring the dream to fruition, he said: “I am making music that is true to me.”
Aside from doing that which is true to him, he revealed that “most importantly, I am doing music my grandmother can enjoy.” Although she was against his choice of the profession at the beginning of his career, he eventually succeeded in changing her heart by singing about topics she could relate to.
As part of pushing the strides to attain higher heights in music with Hausa, the founder of MadFest has consistently managed to keep his songs predominantly performed in the language.
His stage name [Kirani AYAT] is a combination of Hausa and Arabic words, which translate ‘Call me,’ and ‘Life’ respectively.
Known for his Hausa-titled songs like Guda [One], Dodo [Monster] featuring Sarkodie, Tunani [Thinking], Antashimusu [We are up against them], Kudi [Money] featuring M.anifest, Sarauniya [Queen], Munzo [We have arrived], among others, Kirani AYAT effectively breathed some air of “uniqueness” and “variety” into the Ghanaian music scene.
Through this, the rapper has successfully carved a niche of fans who appreciate, follow and support his music, even though some of them do not understand fully the dialect in which he raps and sings in.
Kirani AYAT has devised a creative way of fusing the Hausa instrument into current music styles, synthesizing an “indigenous” and “commercial” feel to his craft.
About that, the Sarki [King] hitmaker is resolute on his purpose, thus, he does not feel the need to switch his style completely to blend in with the current music trend in Ghana.
Kirani AYAT, formerly known as Billy Banger, is a hip-hop and afrobeat artiste who hails from Madina, a suburb of Accra, Ghana. He started music professionally in 2015.
In 2016, he burst into the music scene with his collaborative smash-hit single titled ‘IDKY’ [I Don’t Know You] with record producer Kayso.
In 2018, he earned a nomination at the VGMA in the ‘Best Video of the Year’ category with the David Nicol-sey-directed video, Guda.
Subsequently, he won the ‘Overall Best Music Video’ with Guda at the 4syte TV Music Video Awards in 2019.
AYAT has projects dubbed ‘Play for Keeps,’ ‘Zamani EP’ and ‘TrapLife 2.0’ to his credit.
His debut album, ‘Aisha’s Sun,’ is yet to be released.
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