Africa & The Middle East | Inspiration

A beginner’s guide to Tanzanian music

Before departing on a trip into a new culture it can be fun to learn some basic phrases, brush up on etiquette but best of all, listen to the local music – which is why we’re bringing you this beginner’s guide to Tanzanian music. From the sounds of traditional African music to the string-based taarab to bongo flava, Tanzanian musicians are constantly playing around with new sounds to create distinctive genres and songs. Let us guide you through the best Tanzanian artists and musical genres from the past to today.

What does Tanzanian music sound like?

There are 126 languages spoken in Tanzania, but the common language is Swahili. Tanzanian artists express themselves with a huge range of genres old or emerging. This includes the traditional music and dance of their ethnic groups, through to gospel or newer genres like Bongo Flava, a fusion of local sounds, US hip hop and reggaeton.

What is traditional Tanzanian music?

Each of the 120-plus ethnic groups in Tanzania has developed its own traditional music styles and dances. As an example, a Gogo ethnic group multi-instrumentalist Hukwe Zawose specialised in playing the ilimba, which is like a large lamellophone and similar to the mbira. The Zaramo people use tuned goblet and cylindrical drums and tin rattles to create the sounds they dance to.

RELATED CONTENT: 6 cultural traditions to be aware of before you travel to Tanzania

What is Taarab?

Borrowed from Arabic, Taarab means “have joy with music” and has roots in Islamic culture. Popular in both Tanzania and Kenya, this music genre is influenced by the traditions from North Africa, the African Great Lakes, the Middle East and India. According to local legend, Taarab was started by Sultan Seyyid Barghash bin Said (1870-1888).

What is Tanzanian dance music (Muziki ya Dansi)?

Jazz hit Tanzania in the 1930s, but it was not the same sound that was emerging from the US. Tanzanian artists and bands at the time used brass and percussion instruments, forming dance clubs and running competitions. It wasn’t until the 1960s, after Tanzanian soldiers returned from World War II with African, Latin, Cuban and European music, that a new style was born. Swahili jazz gave Tanzania a sense of unity.

What is Bongo Flava?

Emerging in the 1990s, Bongo Flava is a hip hop fusion of Tanzanian sounds, culture and language with US hip hop and reggae. More recently, the genre has changed and could now be better described as a fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, Reggaeton and Taraab. Tanzanians have started preferencing local artists who sing in Swahili over popular international acts, leading to greater popularity.

Some of the most popular Bongo Flava Tanzanian artists include Bill Nass, Vanessa Mdee, Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Mbosso, Jux, and Alikiba. 

RELATED CONTENT: All the different types of music you can look forward to on your next trip to Morocco

And Singeli?

If you like life in the fast lane, you’ll love the most recent genre of music that’s popular with the younger generations. At 200 to 300 beats per minute, Singeli is a frenetic and fast-paced voyage through sound. 

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Saida Karoli

One traditional Tanzanian artist you can listen to is Saida Karoli. She sings with mellow vocals in Haya language and her songs Ndombolo Ya Solo and Maria Salome were huge hits in Tanzania and the neighbouring countries. 

Siti binti Saad

Taarab star, Siti binti Saad, first rose to popularity in 1928 and was the first woman in East Africa to record an album of her music. 

Orchestra Safari Sound

Seek out the Orchestra Safari Sound, a major Tanzanian dance band during the 1970s. Together with Orchestra Maquis Original, they contributed to the evolution of the style towards a slower, more melodic musical genre.

Mrisho Mpoto 

Also known as Mjomba, this Tanzanian musician’s songs focus on life in Tanzania and his song Waite, won Best Cultural Tanzanian Song in the Kilimanjaro Music Awards in 2015. Fun fact: he’s also Africa’s number one Slam Poet.

Msafiri Zawose

The son of Hukwe, Msafiri also plays traditional Gogo instruments and sings in both Swahili and Kigogo. He’s toured in Europe, East Africa and across Tanzania, of course.

Ali Kiba

His album Cinderella broke the records as the best selling album in East African countries including Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Ali is also a footballer and was invited to join the Tanzania national team. 

Diamond Platnumz

The King of Bongo Flava (sometimes called Simba (which means lion in Swahili), Diamond Platnumz is one of the most influential African musicians. With a combined reach of 900 million people, the recording artist, actor, dancer, philanthropist and a businessman is widely loved across East and Central Africa. 

Vanessa Mdee 

Mixing contemporary R&B, Bongo Flava and hip hop, Mdee recently took home Female Artist of the Year at Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Music Awards. Check out here hits Nobody But Me and Closer.

Christina Shusho

Tanzania is a country almost equally divided by Muslims and Christians. Christina, a former church cleaner, discovered her love and talent for Gospel and is now loved by many with a big following in Tanzania.

Lady JayDee

Often referred to as the Queen of Bongo Flava, Lady JayDee sings across the R&B, Zouk, Afro-pop genres and was among the first females to sing R&B in Swahili. 

Have a listen and tell us which Tanzanian musician is your favourite artist in the comments below….

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