The five music genres in Tanzania, as defined by BASATA are, ngoma, dansi, kwaya, and taarab, with bongo flava being added in 2001, Explore Nyimbo Mpya extensive collection of genres.
African Music is an incredibly broad and vibrant category, encompassing a vast array of genres, styles, and traditions that vary widely from region to region. Rather than a single style, it represents the collective musical heritage and innovation of a continent with over 50 countries and thousands of ethnic groups.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, African music has continued to evolve and has had a profound influence on global music, while also incorporating new influences. Popular genres have emerged that fuse traditional sounds with Western elements like jazz, blues, funk, pop, and hip hop. Some of the most globally recognized genres today include:
Afrobeats, a broad and popular genre primarily from West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana, that blends a mix of sounds like West African highlife, funk, and juju with hip hop and R&B. Its name is a modern term often used to describe a variety of contemporary pop music from the continent, not to be confused with Afrobeat, a more specific genre pioneered by Fela Kuti.
Amapiano, a style of house music from South Africa that emerged in the 2010s. It is known for its jazzy piano melodies, deep basslines, and a relaxed, rhythmic feel.
Congolese Rumba, a genre that has been a staple of Central African music for decades. It is an adaptation of Cuban rumba with local rhythms and guitar work, which later evolved into the high-energy soukous and ndombolo styles.
Many other genres, like Highlife from Ghana, Mbalax from Senegal, and Rai from Algeria, showcase the unique sounds of their respective regions, demonstrating the rich and diverse nature of African music as a whole.
Nyimbo za Asili section allow you to listen and discover latest folk songs from your favorite Tanzania artist, From Limbu Luchagula to Gude Gude we have got all songs here.
Bongo Flava is a popular music genre that originated in Tanzania, particularly in the city of Dar es Salaam. The name is a blend of “Bongo,” a Swahili slang term for the city that can also mean “brains” or “intelligence,” and “flava,” which is an English word for “flavor.” The genre emerged in the 1990s as a fusion of various musical styles, primarily American hip hop and R&B, with traditional Tanzanian sounds like taarab and dansi.
The origin of the name “Bongo Flava” is often credited to a Tanzanian radio DJ named Mike Mhagama in 1996. While working at Radio One, he was trying to distinguish the emerging local music, which was a fusion of American hip hop and R&B with Tanzanian sounds, from the foreign genres.
It is said that on his radio show, he played an American R&B song and referred to it as “R&B flava,” and then introduced a local track by a Tanzanian group, calling it “Bongo Flava.” The name stuck and became the official term for the genre. “Bongo” is a Swahili slang term for Dar es Salaam, which can also mean “brains,” and “Flava” is the English word “flavor.”
Early Bongo Flava was heavily influenced by American hip hop, but artists soon began to localize the sound by incorporating traditional instruments, rhythms, and storytelling techniques. This led to a unique style that resonated deeply with the local population and has since gained widespread popularity across East Africa and beyond, with artists like Diamond Platnumz and Ali Kiba achieving international recognition.
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Kenyan music is diverse and includes many types of folk music, hip hop, reggae, soul, and more, stream and download Kenyan music here.
Nigerian music is a fusion of traditional African music with modern pop and R&B music. It’s characterized by frequent jams, abundant percussion, and the use of brass. Stream and download Naija songs here.
“Nyimbo za Dini” is a Swahili phrase that translates to “Gospel Songs” It is a broad term used in Tanzania and other Swahili-speaking regions to refer to a genre of music that is specifically Christian in nature. This music is often also called “Nyimbo za Injili,” which means “gospel songs.”
This genre is a significant part of East African Christian culture, serving as a medium for theological expression, communal worship, and social commentary. The music has evolved from early missionary hymns, which were often Western melodies with translated Swahili lyrics, to a more indigenous and localized sound.
The lyrical themes of Nyimbo za Dini are deeply rooted in Christian theology and biblical teachings. They often cover topics such as:
Praise and worship: Songs that glorify God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Testimony and salvation: Personal stories of faith, redemption, and the transformative power of Christianity.
Social and moral commentary: Addressing contemporary issues like poverty, corruption, and the challenges of daily life from a Christian perspective.
Hymns and traditional songs: Modern renditions of well-known hymns, often with a unique East African flavor.
The music can vary widely in style, from traditional a cappella choirs to contemporary arrangements that incorporate modern instruments and production techniques. Artists in this genre, such as Rose Muhando and Paul Clement, have gained widespread popularity for their powerful vocals and spiritually uplifting messages.
Qaswida, also spelled Qasida, is a genre of Islamic music and a form of lyrical poetry that is popular throughout the Swahili-speaking world, including Tanzania, Kenya, and other parts of East Africa.
The word “Qasida” itself is of Arabic origin and historically referred to a classical form of Arabic poetry.
In the East African context, Qaswida has evolved into a musical style that is a fusion of Islamic devotional poetry with local Swahili melodies and rhythms. The songs are typically sung in a group, often a women’s choir, and can be performed with or without musical instruments, sometimes accompanied by simple percussion like drums or clapping.
The lyrics are deeply religious, focusing on themes of praise for Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and other figures in Islamic history. They also convey moral teachings, tell stories from the Quran, and celebrate Islamic holidays and events.
Singeli is a high-energy, fast-paced electronic music genre that originated in the working class neighborhoods of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, particularly in areas like Tandale and Manzese, around the mid-2000s.
It is characterized by its incredibly rapid tempo, often ranging from 200 to 300 beats per minute, which makes it one of the fastest music genres in the world. The music features repetitive digital beats, looping synthesizer melodies, and rapid-fire, chant-like vocals in Swahili.
Singeli grew out of local all-night parties and celebrations, such as weddings, where DJs and MCs would perform over sped-up instrumental tracks, often sampling from traditional Tanzanian genres like taarab and ngoma. The lyrics often focus on themes of everyday life, social issues, and street culture, giving the genre a raw and authentic feel that resonates with the youth.
The origin of the name, one popular theory suggests that the name “Singeli” came from a man known by that name who was an exceptionally skilled dancer in the Magomeni area of Dar es Salaam. People would say to “dance like Singeli” when the music was played, and the name eventually became synonymous with the genre itself.
The first recognized artist often credited as a pioneer of Singeli in Tanzania is Msaga Sumu, who is considered one of the early founders of the genre.
Taarab is a music genre popular in Tanzania and Kenya. It is influenced by the musical traditions of the African Great Lakes, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.