Nay Wa Mitego

Last updated

Nay Wa Mitego
Birth nameEmmanuel Elibariki Munisi
Also known asNay Wa Mitego
Mr. Nay
TrueBoy
Raisi wa kitaa
Born (1986-06-09) June 9, 1986 (age 38)
Manzese, Dar es salaam
Genres
Occupationmusician
Years active2009–present

Emmanuel Elibariki Munisi (born June 9, 1986) known by his stage names Nay Wa Mitego, [1] Mr. Nay and NayTrueboy is a Tanzanian rapper, [2] activist [3] and Bongoflava artist. [4]

Contents

Career

Nay's music career started back in the 90s as a 10 years old boy when he self-released the Demo single Dala Dala in 1996, he released his debut first studio song subjected in 2000 through Sound Crafter Records. He is largely known for his infamous fame singles Ninakupenda and Itafahamika released in 2006 that boosted his career to become one of the top Tanzanian rappers. [5]

Nay has become known for hit singles like Salamu Zao and Saka Hela. [6]

Activism

Nay Wa Mitego has used his platform to advocate for social justice and speak out against government oppression. [7]

Throughout his career, Nay Wa Mitego has tackled various societal issues through his music, addressing topics such as corruption, poverty, and political repression. [8] His songs often serve as a voice for the marginalized and oppressed, resonating with audiences across Tanzania and beyond. However, Nay Wa Mitego's activism has not come without consequences. [9] In 2017, he faced significant backlash from Tanzanian authorities after releasing the song "Wapo" (They Exist), which criticized the government's handling of social issues. The song was subsequently banned by the Tanzanian government, [10] and Nay Wa Mitego was temporarily detained for questioning. [11]

In 'Amkeni,' a 2023 song, Nay wa Mitego boldly called out the government, describing it as corrupt and accusing the President [12] of merely putting up billboards to portray herself as hardworking while allegedly failing to deliver on her promises.

In 2024, Nay Wa Mitego addressed speculation [13] [14] surrounding his latest song, "Wapi Huko," which delves into societal issues and describes a visit to a country he cryptically refers to as 'abroad,' [15] vividly portraying its high cost of living, expensive food, cheap alcohol, and daytime power outages' [16] impact on the working population. [17]

Despite the risks, [18] [19] Nay Wa Mitego has stated his intention to continue to produce music that challenges the status quo. [20]

Awards and nominations

Nay Wa Mitego awards and nominations
Totals [lower-alpha 1]
Wins1
Nominations3
Note
  1. Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

Tanzania Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2012Nasema naoBest Hip hop songWon
2022HimselfBest Hip hop male artistNominated [21]

All Africa Music Awards 2022

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2022Rais wa kitaaBest African Rapper/LyricistNominated [22]

Accountability Music Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2021Rais wa kitaaBest accountability song of the yearNominated [23]

Discography

Albums and EPs

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Tanzania</span>

As it is in other countries, the music in Tanzania is constantly undergoing changes, and varies by location, people, settings and occasion. The five music genres in Tanzania, as defined by BASATA are, ngoma, dansi, kwaya, and taarab, with bongo flava being added in 2001. Singeli has since the mid-2000s been an unofficial music of uswahilini, unplanned communities in Dar es Salaam, and is the newest mainstream genre since 2020.

Joseph Mbilinyi, known for his stage names Mr. II, Sugu and 2-proud, is a Tanzanian politician, human rights activist and rapper. He was a Mbeya Urban elected member of Parliament from 2010 to 2020.

Bongo Flava is a nickname for Tanzanian music. The genre 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.

Tanzanian Hip-hop, which is sometimes referred to Bongo Flava by many outside of Tanzania's hip hop community, encompasses a large variety of different sounds, but it is particularly known for heavy synth riffs and an incorporation of Tanzanian pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Tanzania</span>

Following Tanganyika's independence (1961) and unification with Zanzibar (1964), leading to the formation of the state of Tanzania, President Julius Nyerere emphasised a need to construct a national identity for the citizens of the new country. To achieve this, Nyerere provided what has been regarded by some commentators as one of the most successful cases of ethnic repression and identity transformation in Africa.

Juma Nature is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professor Jay</span> Tanzanian hip hop artist and politician

Joseph Haule, popularly known by his stage name Professor Jay, is a Tanzanian hip hop recording artist, politician and former member of the Tanzanian parliament for Mikumi constituency. He is one of the prominent representatives of the "Bongo Flava" Tanzanian hip hop subgenre, which mixes elements from both Western hip hop and the Tanzanian tradition.

Muziki wa dansi, or simply dansi, is a Tanzanian music genre, derivative of Congolese soukous and Congolese rumba. It is sometimes called Swahili jazz because most dansi lyrics are in Swahili, and "jazz" is an umbrella term used in Central and Eastern Africa to refer to soukous, highlife, and other dance music and big band genres. Muziki wa dansi can also be referred to as Tanzanian rumba, as "african rumba" is another name for soukous.

Baraza la Muziki la Taifa was a national council created in 1974 by the government of the newly independent Tanzania. Its purpose was to regulate the music business in the country, in the context of a wider programme intended to create a solidified national identity. This, in turn, was a crucial element in Ujamaa, President Julius Nyerere's version of african socialism. Similar institutions were founded to rule over other aspects of the nation's culture, including the nationwide adoption of Swahili language and the development of Tanzanian art (BASATA). The overall idea was to build a new popular culture for the workers and peasants of the country, free from the heritage of colonialism and bourgeoisie culture.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond Platnumz</span> Tanzanian singer, dancer, philanthropist and businessman

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.

Rajab Abdul Kahali, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist, and entrepreneur.

Benard Michael Paul Mnyang'anga better known by his stage name Ben Pol, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter from Dar es salaam, Tanzania. On January 5, 2024, Ben Pol released his highly anticipated third album 'Flamingo', which Simulizi Na Sauti's music critic, Enky Frank described the album as an educational package for love, lifestyle and daily activities

Juma Mussa Mkambala, known professionally by his stage name Jux, is a Tanzanian artist and songwriter.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barnaba Classic</span> Tanzanian singer-songwriter

Elias Barnabas Inyasi who is predominantly known by his stage names, Barnaba Classic and Barnaba boy is a singer, songwriter and performer from Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abby Chams</span> Tanzanian multi-instrumentalist

Abigail Chamungwana largely known by her stage names Abigail Chams and Abby Chams is a Tanzanian multi-instrumentalist, social activist and a singer signed under Sony Music. She was born in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Fungafunga</span> Tanzanian actor

Mohamed Fungafunga predominantly recognized for his stage names Jengua and Mzee Jengua was a veteran Tanzanian actor and comedian who appeared in more than one hundred films and television shows in a career that spanned more than 15 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darassa</span> Tanzanian rapper

Shariff Thabit Ramadhan, better known by his stage name Darassa is a Tanzanian hip hop artist, recognized for his 2016 hit song 'Muziki', featuring Ben Pol.

Sarah Michael Kitinga is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter. 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.

References

  1. "Tanzanian govt bans popular rapper Ney wa Mitego's song, claims it is 'inciteful' to the public". Citizen Digital. August 1, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  2. "'Sijataja Kenya' - Tanzanian rapper Nay Wa Mitego responds after rattling Kenyans : K24 TV". www.k24tv.co.ke. January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  3. "Tanzania rapper Nay wa Mitego freed after Magufuli criticism". BBC News. March 27, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  4. "Bongo fleva star Ney wa Mitego arrested". SBS Language. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  5. "Karibuni na msanii Ney wa Mitego – DW – 07.05.2021". dw.com (in Swahili). Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  6. "Ney wa Mitego: Kuvuta jiko?...bado sana". Mwananchi. March 18, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  7. ""Who will speak for us the weak?"- Nay Wa Mitego". The Hip Hop African. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  8. "Baada ya kusota rumande Serikali yaagiza Polisi kumuachia msanii Ney Wa Mitego". RFI (in Swahili). March 27, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  9. Reporter, The Chanzo (September 5, 2023). "Nay Wa Mitego: Artist Who Speaks Truth to Power Battles With Authorities' Attempts to 'Silence' Him". The Chanzo. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  10. "Ney wa Mitego's 'dirty' song earns him an indefinite ban". The Citizen. April 19, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  11. "Big win for hip hop star Ney wa Mitego". The Citizen. April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  12. Robi, Amos (July 31, 2023). "Tanzanian gov't bans song that says President Suluhu is harbouring thieves". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  13. "Rapper Nay Wa Mitego addresses reports of 'mocking' Kenyans in viral song 'Wapi Huko'". Kiss 100. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  14. Osaka, Steve (January 29, 2024). "Has Nay Wa Mitego Dissed Kenyans?". Ghetto Radio. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  15. Ngina, Fay. "Nay Wa Mitego sets the record straight on 'Wapi Huko'". Health. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  16. "Watch: Why Tanzanian singer Nay wa Mitego's new song has earned Kenyans' praise". Mpasho. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  17. Kaviar, Ken (January 30, 2024). "Nay Wa Mitego's "Wapi Huko" Powerful 'Kenya's Society Diss'". High On Bars. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  18. "Msaani Ney wa Mitego afungiwa kufanya maonesho Tanzania". BBC News Swahili (in Swahili). September 7, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  19. "Ney wa Mitego: Wakati mwingine sipewi vibali hata nikiandaa matamasha yangu". BBC News Swahili (in Swahili). October 9, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  20. Nay wa Mitego: Mwanamuziki wa Tanzania mwenye tungo tata , retrieved February 14, 2024
  21. "Nay Wa Mitego Steps Down From Bongo Awards". vibe mtaani.
  22. "Here Are All the Winners at the AFRIMA Awards - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  23. "Accountability Music Awards open for Public Vote". African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption. February 19, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  24. "Nay Wa Mitego Releases 'Rais Wa Kitaa" Album | Notjustok East Africa". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. September 22, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  25. "Nay wa Mitego, Diamond share thoughts on Romance vs. Finance". Nation. July 2, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  26. Kingsley, David (November 16, 2019). "Nay Wa Mitego is back with a new jam 'Mungu Anakuona' and it's worth your time (Video)". Ghafla! Kenya. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  27. Panaf (August 8, 2023). "The Bold Narrative of 'Amkeni' by Nay wa Mitego". Panaf. Retrieved February 14, 2024.