Following a whirlwind week that saw him decorated by the President, ‘Donjo Maber’ hitmaker Iyanii has sensationally declared that he is destined to become the first Kenyan artist to hoist a Grammy Award.
Iyanii, whose real name is Ian Oure, is riding a wave of unprecedented success after his viral anthem ‘Donjo Maber’ was officially crowned the 2025 Song of the Year, boasting a staggering 18 million views and counting.
But while the rest of the country is dancing to his beats, Iyanii is already looking past the borders of East Africa.
Speaking on the Oga Obinna Show, the golden boy dismissed critics who have labelled him a mere “party singer,” insisting his artistic depth is the secret weapon that will take him to the recording academy’s stage in Los Angeles.
“If there is something I know about myself, I’m the most diverse artiste,” Iyanii stated with steely confidence.
“Ukiingia kwa YouTube yangu (If you go to my YouTube), you will find whatever you need. I know I will keep proving you wrong. Mimi nitakuwa the first artiste kuleta Grammy here in Kenya.”
The singer’s bold claims are bolstered by a major endorsement from the highest office in the land.
On December 12, 2025, President William Ruto presented Iyanii with the Head of State Commendation (HSC) during a prestigious ceremony at State House, Nairobi.
The award recognizes his “remarkable contributions” to the nation’s creative industry, but for Iyanii, the real prize was a private moment with the Commander-in-Chief.
“For the President to tell me that he is my fan, and he loves what I do, it means a lot,” the singer revealed, noting that the presidential nod has given him the “global persistence” needed to push for international accolades.
State House officials described Iyanii’s journey as a “testament of perseverance.”
His rise from humble school choirs to the prestigious Sauti Academy, and finally to national fame with his 2018 breakout ‘Bamba Pia’, has become a blueprint for aspiring Kenyan creatives.
Despite his meteoric rise, Iyanii remains defensive of his craft, urging skeptics to look beyond his radio hits to find a catalogue rich with soulful love songs and experimental genres.
“If you think I only do party songs, then wewe uko na shida (then you have a problem),” he quipped, challenging the public to “do their research” into his versatility.
With an 18-million-view hit under his belt, a national medal on his chest, and a President in his corner, the man behind ‘Donjo Maber’ is no longer just playing for the charts—he’s playing for history.
