Rapper AY Reignites Debate on Bongo Music’s Fading Identity

[Photo Credit:Capital FM]

By Paul A.

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Legendary Tanzanian rapper AY has hit out at new school bongo musicians for lacking originality.

According to AY, most of the Tanzanian musicians no longer sing for passion, which has led to a loss of identity.

Through a Twitter post, AY stated that other regions like South Africa have their own identity, something the bongo scene has been missing for a while.

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The rapper claimed that most musicians were releasing music based on trends. He questions whether bongo musicians are crafting their paths or are being influenced by trends from other countries.

“Wasauzi kwenye muziki walihit-wakapotea-wakajigoogle-wakajitafuta-wakajipata na wamerudi..kizazi chetu cha sasa vipi?tunatengeneza njia yetu au tunafuata upepo wa trend?” posted AY.

Notably, his views received mixed reactions, with fans stating that the bongo scene has been doing well over the recent years.

They pointed out the emergence of Singeli and Taarab as the two genres giving Tanzania music an identity.

His comments come when new school musicians in Tanzania have been accused of moving away from the bongo identity.

Most have been influenced by the West African sound. At the same time, there have been concerns over the dominance of Nigerian music in Tanzania.