Bongo Flava is a nickname for Tanzanian music. The genre was developed in the 1990s, mainly as a derivative of American hip hop and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi. Lyrics are usually in Swahili or English.
Saida Karoli is a traditionalist Tanzanian singer and performer who has staged live shows in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC.
Tanzania Music Awards are national music awards held annually in Tanzania. They are also known as the Kilimanjaro Music Awards or the Kili Music Awards after their sponsor. The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council (BASATA) under the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube.
Showmax is a subscription-based over-the-top video on demand streaming service that launched in South Africa on 19 August 2015. Its majority owner is MultiChoice, which owns 70% of the Showmax group, while American conglomerate NBCUniversal owns 30% in all territories except Nigeria, where NBCUniversal holds an indirect 23.7% stake in the local subsidiary. In 2023, Showmax announced a partnership with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky. The new Showmax launched in February 2024, with a brand-new app and streaming platform, as well as an unprecedented content slate.
Rajab Abdul Kaha, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist, and entrepreneur. harmonize dream was to play football. He says this in his song called matatizo
Raymond Shaban, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label until July 2022. He was born and raised in Nzovwe ward of Mbeya city, located in Mbeya Region. He is the most successful bongo flava musician in Tanzania from Mbeya region. His songs are mainly in Swahili. He is also the founder and CEO of Next Level Music. Rayvanny is best known by his song "Kwetu", which introduced him to the world. Rayvanny was mentioned by MTV Base among "Acts To Look Out For" in 2017.
Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) is a Tanzania-based record label founded by musician Diamond Platnumz. WCB's commercial roster includes Diamond Platnumz, Mbosso, Zuchu, Lava Lava, Queen Darleen, and D Voice. The label is headquartered at Mbezi Beach, Dar Es Salaam. Rj the Dj who is also Diamond Platnumz's official DJ, while the official producer of the label is Lizer Classic. In 2017, the WCB Wasafi artists released a joint project titled Zilipendwa, and in 2020, they released their second single titled Quarantine. In 2021, WCB Wasafi signed a publishing and distribution deal with Ziiki and Warner Music Group.
Boomplay, or Boomplay Music, is an Africa-focused media streaming and download service. Developed by Transsnet Music Limited, the platform was first launched in Nigeria in 2015 by TECNO Mobile, Transsion Holdings. Boomplay has a freemium and subscription based service; basic features are free with advertisements or limitations, while additional features, such as download for offline play and ad-free listening are offered via paid subscriptions. The service is currently available for Web, Android and iOS. As of August 3, 2018, Boomplay Music recorded 10 million installations off the Google Play and App store. It currently has over 75 million monthly users (MAU) with a catalogue of over 100 million songs by 7.5 million artists.
Amapiano is a subgenre of kwaito and house music from South Africa that became popular in and around the mid-2010s. It is a hybrid of deep house, gqom, jazz, soul and lounge music characterized by synths and wide, percussive basslines. The word "amapiano" derives from the IsiZulu word for "pianos".
Zuhura Othman Soud, better known by her stage name Zuchu, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born on November 22, 1993, in Zanzibar. She is currently based in Dar es Salaam and is signed to WCB Wasafi record label.
Mbwana Yusuf Kilungi, better known by his stage name Mbosso Khan is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born in Kibiti, Pwani Region, he is currently based in Dar es Salaam and signed under WCB Wasafi record label. Mbosso is known for his songs "Nadekezwa" and "Hodari" which won Video of the Year at HiPipo Awards 2019. Mbosso released his debut studio album, Definition of Love, in March 2021.
Juma Mussa Mkambala, known professionally by his stage name Jux, is a Tanzanian artist and songwriter.
"Kwaku the Traveller" is a song by Ghanaian drill musician Black Sherif. It was released on 31 March 2022, through Blacko, and Empire. "Kwaku the Traveller" was written by Black Sherif, and produced by Joker Nharnah. It debuted at number 1 in Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart, number 5 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart and number 2 on the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart. On 11 July 2022, following the launch of TurnTable Top 100, an expansion of the Top 50 chart, "Kwaku the Traveller" debut at number 22. On 14 July 2022, "Kwaku the Traveller" debut at number 2 on the newly launched Nigeria Top Hip-Hop/Rap Songs chart.
"Sugarcane" is a song by Ghanaian singer and songwriter Camidoh, featuring the Nigerian record producer Phantom, released in 2021 by Grind Don't Stop Records, through Crux Global, and MOVES Recordings. A remix, with Mayorkun, and Darkoo, featuring the Ghanaian singer King Promise, was released in 2022. The song gained popularity across TikTok, following the release of the remix.
Omary Ally Mwanga, known professionally as Marioo, is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is known for his hits such as Bia Tamu, Mama Amina, Dear Ex, Raha, Mi Amor and Naogopa, songs that have made him a household name in Tanzania and East Africa in general.
Elias Barnabas Inyasi who is predominantly known by his stage names, Barnaba Classic and Barnaba boy is a singer, songwriter and performer from Tanzania.
Romeo George alias RJ The DJ and Romy Jon(e)s is a Tanzanian DJ, record producer and television actor.
Salmin Ismail Hoza, professionally known by his stage name Kusah, is a Tanzanian musician, singer and songwriter. He started getting attention as a songwriter but later rose to stardom after releasing songs such as Kelele, No Time, I Don't Care and I Wish which made him a household name in Tanzania.
Sarah Michael Kitinga is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter who is well known as Phina or Saraphina. Her songs such as Rara, Superwoman, Manu, Sponsor, Sisi Ndo Wale and Upo Nyonyo which was placed number 62 by Nigerian music website NotJustOk on their list of the best Tanzanian songs of the decade ranging from 2012 to 2022, made her household name in Tanzania. Throughout her career Phina has collaborated with different music heavyweights including Jux, Otile Brown, Jay Melody and Ruby.
