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.
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.
Dully Sykes is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava musician, songwriter, record producer and composer.
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.
Wilson Abubakar Radido is a Kenyan artist and songwriter from Nairobi. He is the chief executive officer and founder of Saldido international entertainment.
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. 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.
Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known by her stage name Nandy is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter and actress. She was born and raised in the town of Moshi, Tanzania in Kilimanjaro Region. She won the All Africa Music Awards twice in the best female artist in East Africa category in 2017 and 2020.
Brian Ouko Omollo, popularly known by his stage name Khaligraph Jones and often referred to as Papa Jones,OG,is a Kenyan rapper known for his hit singles "Mazishi" and "Yego". He released his debut full-length studio album Testimony 1990 in June 2018. Khaligraph Jones has achieved numerous awards during his career. He was nominated for 'Best Male Artist' at the 2018 Afrimma Awards, won 'Best Hip Hop Artist' at the 2020 Afrimma Awards, and was nominated for 'Best International Act' at the 2020 BET Awards.
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 2024, Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the Emerging Artist Award winner.
William Nicholaus Lyimo, popularly known by his stage name Bill Nass, is a Tanzanian rapper of Chagga heritage, he was born in Tanga, Tanga Region. MTV Base named him among the "50 Artists To Watch For In 2017". He is currently based in Dar es Salaam. Months after the release of his debut single "Raha", Lyimo was nominated on 2015's Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards (KTMA) as a "New Best Artist".
Juma Mussa Mkambala, popularly known by his stage name Jux is a Tanzanian artist and songwriter.
Kenned David Sanga, also known by his pseudonym "Director Kenny", Tanzanian music video director, cinematographer and film director from Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
Hamisa Hassan Mobetto, is a Tanzanian singer, actress, businesswoman and socialite.
Omary Ally Mwanga, known professionally as Marioo, is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, poet, and music producer.
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
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.
Marianne Namshali Mdee popularly known by her stage name Mimi Mars is a Tanzanian singer, actress and media personality.
