Omar Kopa dies at age 23
Omar Kopa, the new breed of Taarab music and son of Taarab singer Khadija Kopa dies after a lengthy illness at his mother’s house in mwananyamala
Omar Kopa, the new breed of Taarab music and son of Taarab singer Khadija Kopa dies after a lengthy illness at his mother’s house in mwananyamala, Dar-es-salaam early this morning [March 26]. Omar made his debut with TOT Plus Modern Taarab orchestra back in 2004 and since then performed with various artists and groups in Kenya and Tanzania.
A collaboration album titled “Ee Bwana Ndiyo” with his mother was nominated for the Best Taarab Album last year at the Kilimanjaro Music Awards 2006. His last major performance was at the Sauti za Busara Music Festival 2007 in Zanzibar alongside the Sanaa Taarab group where it was said “Omar was the closest thing Tanzania had to a Taarab teen idol and his shows were always packed with glamorous girls, shimmering in their headscarves and buibuis”.
The body will be taken to Zanzibar today ready for the funeral service scheduled to take place tomorrow in Zanzibar.
