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.
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, with additional influences from reggae, R&B, and afrobeats, to form a unique style of music. Lyrics are usually in Swahili or English, although increasingly from mid 2000s there has been limited use of words from Sub-Saharan African music traditions due to the influence of Afrobeats and Kwaito with their dynamics usage of West African Pidgin English, Nigerian Pidgin or other Creole language.
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.
Dully Sykes is a Tanzanian musician who sings majorly in the bongo flava genre.
The 12th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam, on Saturday March 26, 2011. Bongo Flava artist 20 Percent was the big winner of the night with five trophies out of seven nominations. The artist himself was not present and he was represented by his producer Man Water. Winner Lady Jaydee was also absent during the Award ceremony and a fan collected the two awards on her behalf. The artist later stated she had not received an invitation for the event. Singer Diamond Platnumz, who won three awards in the 2010 Tanzania Music Awards was nominated in four categories, although he was among those who left empty-handed.
The 13th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Mlimani City Conference Center in Dar es Salaam, on Saturday 14 April 2012. The event was anchored by Vanessa Mdee and Millard Ayo. The nominees were announced on 8 February 2012 with Bongo Flava artist Diamond Platnumz topping the list with seven nominations. Two days after the list was released, four-time nominee Dully Sykes announced his withdrawal from the event. He stated 'it does not contribute to my growth whatsoever, and this contest is full of lies'. After leaving the 2011 Tanzania Music Awards empty-handed, Diamond Platnumz made a return by winning three awards, including Best Male Artist and Best Video.
The 11th edition of the Tanzania Music Awards took place at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam, on Friday 14 May 2010. The event was anchored by Jokate Mwegelo. Bongo Flava singer Diamond Platnumz was the big winner of the night with three awards out of four nominations, which is a remarkable result for a newcomer.
Emmanuel Mkono, known by his stage name Nahreel, is a Tanzanian Afro beats / Dancehall recording artist and record producer.
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known by his stage name 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 a combined total of one billion views on YouTube.
Vanessa Hau Mdee, is a Tanzanian singer, rapper, television personality and radio host. Mdee is popularly known for being the first ever Tanzanian MTV VJ. She later rose to prominence as a radio and TV host, hosting Epic Bongo Star Search and Dume Challenge for ITV Tanzania before signing to B'Hits Music Group in late 2012.
Ali Saleh Kiba, best known as Ali Kiba or sometimes King Kiba, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label. According to BASATA Alikiba is one of the most successful Bongo Flava singers and considered the greatest of all time having often been referred to by many contemporaries as the "King of Bongo flava".[4][5][6][7] His musical style has been defined as polyhedric, with his style being characterized by several influences from other genres, mainly Afro pop, R&B and Rhumba. His lyrics develop predominantly over themes of romance, fast life, desire, regret, and emotional conflict.
Rajab Abdul Kahali, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava artist, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.
Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, 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. He is 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.
"Colors" is a song by American singer and songwriter Jason Derulo. It was the Coca-Cola promotional anthem for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The song was released on March 9, 2018. On April 12, 2018, Derulo performed the song live during a medley with "Tip Toe" and "Swalla" at the German Echo Music Prize. A Spanglish version with Colombian singer Maluma was released on April 13, 2018.
Zuhura Othman Soud, better known by her stage name Zuchu, is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born in Zanzibar. She is based in Dar es Salaam and signed to WCB Wasafi record label. She was awarded the Silver Plaque Button by YouTube for hitting 100,000 subscribers within a week. She became the first East African female artist to reach that milestone within a week. She also became the first East African female artist to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube 11 months later. In 2020 Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the winner of the Emerging Artist Award.
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, popularly known by his artist name Jux and sometimes referred to as 'African Boy', is a Tanzanian Artist and Songwriter. Born in Dar es Salaam, his interest in music began at a young age, when at the age of 16 he began to rap. However it is his singing that he is best known for to date, and is considered one of Tanzania's highest paid artists. In 2008 when Jux signed to Tanzanian record label A.M records, he began to record R&B songs instead. Since then he has released several hit songs, including 'Sugua' featuring Diamond Platnumz, 'Juu' featuring Vanessa Mdee, and most recently 'Regina' featuring Otile Brown. In 2018 his song 'Uzuri Wako' was banned by the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority, along with songs from several other artists, including Diamond Platnumz, for going against Tanzanian morals and values. Jux he is regarded one of the best and successful artists in Tanzania of all time.
Kenned David Sanga, also known by his pseudonym "Director Kenny", Tanzanian music video director, cinematographer and film director from Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
Albert Keneth Mangweha who used aliases; Ngwair, Mangwea, Mangwair, and Ngwea was a Tanzanian hip hop artist predominantly known for his freestyle punchlines and hardcore rap style.
Mwanahawa Abdul Juma better known by her stage name Queen Darleen is a Tanzanian singer signed under WCB Wasafi.
