Advertisement
Iyaani reveals surprising story behind his latest track ‘Donjo Maber’
19th July, 2025 05:16 AM
Kenyan artist Ian Oure, popularly known as Iyaani, has revealed the surprising story behind his latest track, Donjo Maber, a collaboration with fellow musician Dufla Diligon.
Speaking on Friday, July 18, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Iyaani revealed that the inspiration for the song came from a phrase Dufla frequently used in conversation, and it quickly evolved into a full-fledged studio hit.
The Pombe hitmaker shared that the phrase “Donjo Maber” was a favourite of Dufla’s during their everyday interactions.
“What happened is this,” Iyaani explained, “Dufla alikuwa anaitumia sana. Every time mngepatana na yeye and things go your way, anakuambia hiyo imedonjo maber, imeweza sana.”
Donjo Maber hit idea
Struck by the catchiness and cultural relevance of the phrase, Iyaani said the idea began to grow in his mind.
After a trip home and some reflection, he called up his producer, Waka Waka, to discuss building a track around the concept.
“It was a term alikuwa anaitumia sana, so mimi nikakuwa like sometime back after nimeenda home, nikafikiria hii term inakaa vizuri sana na inaweza kuwa created into something. Nikapigia producer wangu Waka Waka nikamsho kuna idea flani nimesikia Dufla akiongelelea, na tukiilink up tunaeza produce something,” he explained.
The producer got to work, laying down a beat while Iyaani added his lines.
But something still felt incomplete. That missing piece, according to Iyaani, was Dufla himself.
“Tukapatana na producer, akafinya beat nikaweka lines nilikuwa nazo, and I was like, Hii kitu inasound poa, but kuna kitu inamiss, na ilikuwa Dufla. Akakuja akaweka verse, and the rest is history,” Iyaani said.
Iyaani’s rugby career
During the interview, the artist also opened up about a lesser-known chapter of his life—his journey as a rugby player before diving into music full-time.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on the night of Friday, July 18, 2025, Iyaani revealed that sports, particularly rugby, were a significant part of his early life.
“Mimi kitu wasee hawajui kunihusu ni kuwa nilikuwa naplay rugby at some point,” he said. “Kama singekuwa msanii, ningekuwa rugby player.”
Loosely translated as “One thing people don’t know about me is that I used to play rugby at some point,” he said. “If I hadn’t become a musician, I would have been a rugby player.”
He recounted playing competitively during his high school years, eventually rising to the role of captain. His talent on the field earned him a spot on the prestigious KCB Rugby team, where he played for a while before deciding to switch careers.
“Nilikuwa mdeadly, nilikuwa captain hadi. Mimi ni mbaya, kwanza nikiekwa na huyu Dufla naeza mtwanga mbaya sana,” he joked, showing his lingering confidence in his athletic ability.
