Tuyishime Joshua (5 July 1988 – 2 September 2021), also known as Jay Polly, was a Rwandan musician.[1][2]

Jay Polly
Born
Tuyishime Joshua

(1988-07-05)5 July 1988
Kigali, Rwanda
Died2 September 2021(2021-09-02) (aged 33)
Kigali, Rwanda
Resting placeRusororo, Kigali, Rwanda
OccupationMusician
Years active2006–2021
Known forMusic and charity work

Jay Polly was the winner of Primus Guma Guma Super Star seasons 4 (PGGSS4). He was one of the successful hip-hop artists in Rwanda and former member of local hip-hop gang called Tuff Gang with other rappers like Fireman, BullDogg, P Fla, and Green P.[3][4][5]

In 2014, Jay Poly was the brand ambassador of MTN Rwanda.[6] [7][8][9]

Early life

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Jay Polly was born on 5 July 1988, in Gikondo, Kigali city, Rwanda. He was the second child in a family of three including his older brother, Uwera Jean Maurice known as Uncle Morris, a journalist of RBA Rwanda. Jay Polly attended Kinunga primary school and former ETO Kicukiro now Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) Kigali.[10][11]

Music career

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Early life

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Jay Polly started writing and recording songs in 2003, while he was in high school with his then friend and now a rapper, Green P. Together with other friends, they formed a music group named G5.[12][13] In 2004, the group was separated and Jay started recording solo music. He released his single Money which was followed by hit songs Ndacyariho, Ibyo ubona, and many more.[14][15]

Tuff Gang

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In 2007, Jay Polly and Green P went to record in ONB studio where producer Lick Lick was working. Lick Lick was recording for various Rwandan then upcoming artists now stars including King James, Meddy, and The Ben and other 3 young rappers BullDogg, Fireman, and P Fla. Lick Lick, after realising that five young rappers had same vision and potentials, decided to connect them and create a music group named TuffGang.[16][17][18]

PGGSS

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In 2011 and 2013, Jay Polly was nominated in Primus Guma Guma Super Star (PGGSS) but he did not win it.[19][20] In 2013, he signed a 3-year contract with Touch Records where he released various hit songs including Deux fois Deux, Ndacyariho Ndahumeka, Malaika, and Siribateri ft Bruce Melodie to mention a few.[21] In 2014, he was nominated in PGGSS season 4 which he won on 30 August same year.[1][22]

References

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  1. ^ a b Reporter, Times (31 August 2014). "Guma Guma ends in style as Jay Polly is crowned winner". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  2. ^ Kalimba, Stephen (25 June 2015). "Artistes to spice Kigali Basketball jam". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  3. ^ Nsabimana, Eddie (19 May 2020). "Tuff Gang members led by Jay Polly set for virtual reunion". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. ^ Kimenyi, Bryan (2 June 2012). "Jay Polly denies Tuff Gang Split". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. ^ Reporter, Times (20 February 2010). "In Focus: The Tuff Gang". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  6. ^ Karemera, Dean (20 March 2014). "How much are our musicians minting?". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  7. ^ Niyigena, Faustin (1 June 2018). "Nigerian singer Davido performs with Rwandan rapper Jay Polly". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  8. ^ Babijja, Susan (11 July 2013). "Jay Polly to grace DundaStar grand finale concert". The New Times. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  9. ^ "'I Wish I Was from Rwanda', says Davido then Performs In Kinyarwanda". KT PRESS. 4 March 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  10. ^ Iyamuremye, Janvier. "Jay Polly yitabye Imana azize uburwayi - Inyarwanda.com". inyarwanda.com. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Jay Polly loved his brush and acrylic but lived off music". Rwanda Today. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  12. ^ Ksafari; Reporter, Our (13 August 2015). "Bimwe mu byamamare byashenguwe n'urupfu rwa Jay Polly, ibihe by'ingenzi byaranze ubuzima bwe". www.isimbi.rw. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  13. ^ Ntakirutimana, Deus (2 September 2021). "Umuhanzi Jay Polly yitabye Imana(byinshi kuri we)". The Source Post. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  14. ^ Kalimba, Stephen (23 October 2014). "Jay Polly releases 'Malaika' video". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  15. ^ Mugarura, Richard (24 September 2014). "Jay Polly announces country tour". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  16. ^ Reporter, Times (20 February 2010). "In Focus: The Tuff Gang". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  17. ^ Reporter, Times (12 October 2009). "Tuff Gang making a comeback". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  18. ^ Kimenyi, Bryan (2 June 2012). "Jay Polly denies Tuff Gang Split". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  19. ^ Reporter, Times (31 July 2011). "Tom Close crowned winner of Primus Guma Guma Superstar constest". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  20. ^ Reporter, Times (26 July 2011). "Four in Primus Guma Guma Finals". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  21. ^ Mugarura, Richard (20 August 2014). "Jay Polly to open fashion house". The New Times. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  22. ^ Sabiiti, Daniel (17 January 2019). "What Becomes Local Music Industry Without Guma Guma?". KT PRESS. Retrieved 13 September 2023.