Hip-Hop Music in Tanzania: Here's What You Need to Know

[Photo Credit: Music in Africa]

By Branice Nafula

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Tanzanian Hip hop music scene has been evolving over years. In terms of versatility Tanzanian hip hop music was initially the original Bongo Flava. Initially many associated hip hop with gangsters and crime orientations why? This is because in the early 1980’s the Hip hop culture was majorly an underground movement that would see producers and artists record in deplorable studios. However by the late 90’s Hip hop had begun dominating the Tanzanian airwaves.

With an adaptation from the original Tanzanian music including Indian filmi, taarab, muziki wa dansi, and dancehall beats the artists created a sound of their own. Thanks to the influence of the older artists Tanzanian Hip hop scene has seen a tremendous shift in gears. For instance the “New school” hip hop artists now do music in a versatile ways that help them reach their fans.

At the moment some of the biggest hip hop stars in Tanzania include; Nikki Mbishi, politician Wakazi Muzik, G Nako, Rostam made up Roma and Stamina, Rosa Ree, Nay Wa Mitego among others.

As it grows Rosa Ree stands out among her hip hop peers as the biggest female hip hop artist from Tanzania. For Rosa Ree she uses her will power to empower young girls in music. Furthermore she has had a lot of backlash for doing Hip hop but has stood her ground all through her journey.

On the other hand, rapper come activist Roma Zimbabwe was allegedly forced into exile after his music got him in trouble with the government. The most recent incident that sparked a conversation around the country was their song With Stamina ‘Kaka Tuchati’; A song that pokes holes at how the government dealt with the Covid 19 pandemic.

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To date, hip hop music in Tanzania has been used as voice for the many people in the country to air out grievances. More like the voice of the hopeless and an expression of deep down feelings by the people of Tanzania. Over the years, Hip hop music has bec0me noticeable in Tanzanian towns including Dar es Salaam. This was credited to legendary hip hop artists like politician come activist Joseph Mbilinyi famous as Sugu and Juma Nature who were the fore fathers of Tanzanian hip hop.

Some of the hip hop artists that shaped the Tanzanian hihop music scene include, Dog Malik, JCB, Watengwa,, Chindo aka Umbwax, Donii, Wadudu wa dampo, Jambo Squad, Nako-to-nako, Weusi, among others.