Edwin Ruyonga, known by the mononym Ruyonga is a Ugandan hip hop and spoken-word musical artist based in the United States.[1] Ruyonga was one of the pioneering hip-hop acts in Uganda, with his first group winning a nationwide music competition in 2000.

Ruyonga
Born
OccupationRapper
Musical career
Genres
Years active2000–present
LabelsKinetic Management
Websiteruyonga.com

Rawkus Records selected Ruyonga as one of the top 50 artists on the internet, and Rawkus helped release his second solo album, AFRiCAN, in 2007.[2] Ruyonga has recorded songs with many artists including Brother Ali and Slug of Atmosphere, and has shared the stage with Lupe Fiasco, K’Naan, Wu Tang Clan, Grieves and Budo (Rhymesayers) and The Roots.

Ruyonga is married to Sheila Yvonne Agaba with whom he has a daughter.[3][4][5][6] In 2013, he was on DSTV's list African MC's: In a League of their own.[7] He has collaborated with fellow Ugandan rappers like The mith, Bigtril, and Zex Bilangilangi. He is also credited for delivering the finest verses in Ugandan cyphers, notably Vuqa cypher.[citation needed]

Music

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Ruyonga is a gospel rapper who has been based in the United States since 2002. He has worked with artists like JGivens, Magg 44, Enygma, Benezeri, Big Tril, Maurice Kirya, Zex Bilangilangi, Rickman Manrick, Ykee Benda, and Don MC.[8] Ruyonga was previously known as Krukid, member of the hip-hop trio A.R.M. (African Rebel Movement/Artists Representing the Motherland), which also included M.anifest (Ghana) and Budo.

He was included in the 2007 Rawkus 50, a list compiled by Rawkus Records of 50 notable hip hop artists.[9][10] He recorded the soundtrack for Nana Kagga's 2012 film, The Life. In 2022, he teamed up with rising Stars 1 Der Jr and Zex Bilangilangi and did a hip-hop banger Parte Yaani.

Discography

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Albums

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  • Gloryfire (2015)
  • Kabalega (2024)

Singles

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  • Remant Revolution (2018)
  • Saala, ft. Ykee Benda (2019)
  • Jim, ft. Zoe Star (2021)
  • No Job! (2021)
  • Muliro, ft. Coopy Bly (2022)
  • Parte Yani, ft. Wonder Jr, ZEX BILANGILANGI (2022)
  • Akamuli, ft. Ray G (2024)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Omongin, Emmy (2013-08-12). "Rapper Ruyonga in Victory concert". Daily Monitor. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  2. ^ "ABOUT RUYONGA". Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  3. ^ Kaggwa, Andrew (2014-09-30). "Wedding: Rapper Ruyonga does the honourable thing for Agaba". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  4. ^ Kaggwa, Andrew (2014-09-30). "Wedding: Rapper Ruyonga does the honourable thing for Agaba". The Observer. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  5. ^ Nabaasa, Monica (2014-09-29). "Rapper Ruyonga Weds". Archived from the original on 2017-10-12. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  6. ^ "Edwin Ruyonga, Sheila Agaba In Private Wedding". 2014-09-29. Archived from the original on 2016-02-15. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  7. ^ "African MC's: In a League of their own". Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  8. ^ "God Moves - Ruyonga". Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  9. ^ "Ruyonga lets the East African sound come through on "Tutuuse"". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Runyonga". Archived from the original on 2021-08-01. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
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