Yilmie “Iya Ingi” Williams holds the banner of Ethiopia high in all that he does with added power coming from his name, a play on the word Nya Bingi. Iya Ingi was born in Mona Common, Kingston Jamaica in 1979; He is the last of three brothers and two sisters. He knew from an early age what his future had in store for him, the artist describing himself as a, “Liberal Ethiopian fighting to defend Ethiopian sovereignty.” Iya’s father repatriated to Ethiopia in 1994 when Iya was 14 years old. He witnessed his father playing an active role in the Twelve Tribes of Israel, this combination of experiences setting the seeds for Iya’s future path in music.

Iya Ingi journey began experiencing event held by world renowned sound Jah Love, his passion for communicating strong messages through sound beginning during this period and continuing throughout his time at high school. While working as parking supervisor at a jewelry store he began writing his own lyrics, the empty store he spent his evenings in providing him with the solitude required to focus on his flow. In 1999 he practiced with the Aluta Continua band where he honed his skills to the perfection it is today and consequently lead him to win the 2003 and 2004 University of the West Indies Chancellor Hall Pre spectrum song contest where he won the opportunity to be the opening act at the 2003 and 2004 Spectrum concert held at the University Students Union. His performance has grown with his first three show, The Marcus Garvey

birthday Celebration in New Haven Kingston, The Songs of Salvation Show case in Clarendon and the Aluta Continua Bob Marley Birthday Celebration at Back Yard in Kingston. Under his belt are numerous performances locally and overseas, to mention a few he made good impressions at Sizzla Kalonji’s Rise to the Occasion in 2006 and returned to numerous encore performance in 2007.

Iya Ingi take great inspiration from his Mother, Murlene Francis (Delce), Father Algernon Williams (Asher), Haile Selassie I, Incient Iata I and his children, Akil, Ikado, Ikila and Yilmie Jr. He is also inspired by Itral Nature, which sustains life and Itral livity. His influences are Bounty Hunter, Sizzla, Moses I, Jah Cure & Kulcha Knox, all of whom he sees himself working with in the future. His singles “Foundation” and “Show Love” are currently receiving lots of airplay on both local and international radio stations, the videos under the direction of Cyber­Leaf Entertainment are now released and Iya Ingi is presently spending most of his time composing and laying tracks for his debut album. Iya’s focus will remain the same, to teach the world about Ethiopia as he takes his role as an Ethiopian Musical Ambassador.