image source
But not all famous Tanzanian artists are from Dar es Salaam. For example, the controversial singer Saida Karoli, who hails from Kagra in the Bukoba region, rose to prominence and became famous for a short time. The song from her debut album, ‘Maria Salome’, has reached third place on Tanzanian radio and has been nominated several times at the Kora All-African Music Awards. As a singer, composer, dancer and drummer, in a short time, Saida became the most sought-after female artist in all of East and Central Africa. He has performed live shows in almost every part of Tanzania, and has successfully toured Rwanda, Burundi, the DRC, Uganda and Kenya. Although she sings mainly in her native language, Haya, her lyrics include more Swahili (the common language of East Africa) and some English.
Some local music styles are gaining popularity and following in Dar es Salaam due to unknown features. The latest craze is a baikoko-style music genre from Tanga, popularly known as dance clubs and cafes throughout Dar es Salaam and beyond.
Zanzibar is also a center for cultural and musical activities, hosting many popular music groups, assisted by other cultural organizations such as the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) [i], Dohow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) [ii] and Busara Promotions' Sauti za Busara festival [iii] . With its rich history and cultural heritage, Zanzibar offers a unique sound and a mix of Arabic and African music styles, influenced by the tastes of Indians, Indonesians, Europeans and others. Zanzibar's most popular bands live in traditional taarab musical instruments Nadi Ikhwan Safaa and Culture Musical Club. Makame Faki and his kidumbak (a style related to rhythm, related to taarab music) enjoy domestic and international fame. Singer Mohamed Ilyas and his band Twinkling Stars have recorded the world's only album (on Ace Records) and Tausi Taarab is a brand new all-female band.
Modern taarab - or rusha roho - was expected to be a short step in the development of Tanzanian music, but it has become a permanent fixture - not least because of the sensational music and economic dynamics of the 3- to 5-piece metal band. . Mzee Matona was the first forerunner, followed by popular teams such as TOT and Khadija Kopa, Muugano, East Arican Melody, Jahazi, Five Stars and Young Stars Modern Taarab, who played segere mixed with taarab.
Indeed the most famous music icon in Zanzibar is singer Bi Kidude, who passed away tragically in 2013, approaching the age of 100 and still performing taarab and traditional style of unyago song. Other traditional dance groups also enjoy success, such as Federal Sanaa, Black Roots, Kikundi cha Taifa, Imani Ngoma and many more, yet none have won the title of “BiBi” (grandmother) Kidude, who by contempt of culture won the hearts of viewers around the world. all of them, though this did not make him able to live in anything more beautiful than a small house with a tin roof. His story is an example of what Zanzibari poet Haji Gora said, "I have written hundreds of songs, but I still ride my bike".
While African music as a whole, and especially Tanzanian artists, continue their journey of global recognition, their struggle for adequate structures and resources continues.
Congratulations, your post has been upvoted by @r2cornell, which is the curating account for @R2cornell's Discord Community.