Burudani

The diversity of Tanzanian music: Forget Bongo Flava, Taarab and dance, there is more

Is Bongo Flava, Modern Taarab and Dansi the only music genres found in Tanzania? A listener/ viewer of local Tanzanian mainstream radio and broadcast would probably think that this is truly the case and you can’t entirely blame them because this is the music that dominates the airwaves from morning to midnight.

Abantu Mandingo
Abantu Mandingo

This is why big names in the Tanzania music scene are the ‘Diamonds’, ‘Malaika Bands’ and the ‘Mashauzi Classic Modern Taarabs’ which are considered ‘radio-friendly’.

I am personally lucky to have been exposed to various music genres both locally and internationally. What I have discovered is that there is a lot of good authentic music created by genuine artists that unfortunately do not get to be adequately showcased and appreciated in Tanzania.

The only platforms that embrace such ‘alternative’ genres of music are music festivals such as Sauti za Busara and Karibu Music which sadly only take place once per year.

If you have been to some of these local festivals and even big international festivals which are more about pushing the culture and music with an identity forward you will notice that some of these unappreciated artists are bigger in terms of popularity and have ability to deliver on stage (vocally and performance-wise) than most of the big name mainstream artists on their best day.

Jagwa
Jaguar Music

I believe that if you are an avid music listener and lover, it is important to expand your horizon of music by looking beyond what’s just being hurled at you by the mainstream media and discover new talented musician which can offer you a breath of fresh air from the overplayed and oversampled bongo flava, modern taarab and dansi music that you constantly hear on the radio and see on TV.

For starters you can dig up some music from great individual musicians and bands which are immensely talented, doing big things beyond the ‘popular music curtain’ in Tanzania however are yet to be embraced by the local masses: Msafiri Zawose, Abantu Mandingo, Leo Mkanyia & the Swahili Blues Band, Ifa Band, Cocodo African Music Band, Swahili Vibes, Jagwa, Ashimba, Hokororo, Lumumba Theatre, Mabantu Africa, Seven Survivor and many more. Knowing these artists will definitely introduce you to a new world of local Tanzanian music that you probably thought never existed.

A big shout out to all the DJs, DVJs and Event Organizers who have seen the necessity of incorporating this kind of music in their platforms!

By Haji Said @Despicabledude

Related Articles

Back to top button

Adblock Detected

Please don't block our ads, we rely on these ads to serve you with credible contents