Yesser Roshdy, known professionally as Yes-R, is a Dutch rapper, singer, songwriter and television presenter. Born on November 2, 1986, in Amsterdam, he emerged from the city's eastern districts and became one of the most visible artists associated with the commercial rise of Dutch hip hop in the mid-2000s. His music combines hip hop with elements of R&B and pop, while his work in television and film helped him reach audiences beyond the urban music scene.
Influenced by his cousin Ali B, Yes-R began rapping as a teenager. He took part in a talent competition at the age of 13 and later became connected with D-Men, the Amsterdam rap collective led by Lange Frans and Baas B. In 2003, Lange Frans began producing recordings for him. Yes-R's early track "Chickiesflasher" became known in the Dutch underground and was included on the compilation *De gastenlijst*. He also appeared on Baas B's "Sletje" and Maritza's "Laat Je Gaan", building experience as a featured performer before establishing himself as a solo artist.
In 2004, Yes-R won the audience award at De Grote Prijs van Nederland, one of the Netherlands' best-known music competitions. He also contributed to the *De Straatremixes* releases associated with D-Men. In early 2005, he left the collective and shifted his attention to a solo career. He subsequently signed with a label connected to Ali B, a move that placed him in a more commercially oriented part of the Dutch music industry.
His debut album, *Mijn pad*, appeared in 2005. The record presented Yes-R as a young artist telling his own story and examining his ambitions, while the single "Stel je voor", featuring Baas B, became his first commercially released solo single. His breakthrough with the wider public came through "Leipe Mocro Flavour", a collaboration with Ali B and Brace. The single reached number two on the Dutch singles chart and established Yes-R as a prominent new name in Dutch popular music.
Further albums included *Zakenman* in 2007, *Zakenman II* in 2008, *Fashion* in 2012 and *El Pardon* in 2017. His charting singles included "Mammie", "'n Beetje verliefd", "Hey Schatje!", "Uit elkaar", "Vecht mee" with Chantal Janzen, and "Ben je ook voor Nederland?" with Wolter Kroes and Ernst Daniel Smid. He also appeared on successful collaborative tracks such as Akon's Dutch-language "Ghetto Remix", "Rampeneren" with The Partysquad, and "Groupie Love" with Ali B, Gio and Darryl.
Yes-R's career has consistently extended beyond recording. He presented the Nickelodeon program *Hihi met Sisi* and appeared on programs including *Kids Top 20*, *Jensen!* and *Ik hou van Holland*. He also performed for younger audiences and participated in public-awareness campaigns, demonstrating a broad entertainment profile rather than a strictly rap-focused one.
As an actor, Yes-R made his film debut as Omar in Martin Koolhoven's romantic comedy *'n Beetje Verliefd* in 2006. He later voiced Tito in the animated film *Sunshine Barry en de discowormen*, played a Turkish rapper in *Gangsterboys*, and appeared as Jamal Barachi in the zombie comedy *Zombibi*. His music honors include the 2004 Grote Prijs audience award, a Dutch MOBO Award connected with "Leipe Mocro Flavour", and TMF Awards for Best Newcomer and the Pure Award.