Artists

 Shamte Mohammed aka S Kide is a composer and singer of the urban singeli style. The youthful and energetic singeli music and dance craze emerged from the ‘ghetto’ suburbs of Dar es Salaam in recent years - and is rapidly attracting attention beyond the borders of Tanzania.

S Kide was read more

Almost a century ago, Zanzibari singer Siti Binti Saad reimagined what had been formal court music into a private form of improvisation, laced with a spirit of inclusivity that combined Arabic and Swahili lyrics. In doing so, she paved the way for other female taarab singers, including Bi Kidude.

In turn, read more

Mutinda's music is a journey through time and space.

Marrying African traditional instrumentation such as nyatiti, maboom-boom drums, djembe, African flute with global elements as guitar, bass, keyboard, sax, violin and drums, he has created a unique style of soul-searching melodies and contagious rhythms.

Although Mutinda's music is unique, he still has read more

Mwahiyerani is a traditional dance group based in Mchauru Juu Village, Mtwara region. Their style is of the Makua ethnic group found both in southern Tanzania and northern Mozambique. This style was originally performed only by elders and in secret places, since the 1920s. Now it is performed openly and read more

There are not many bands whose music has been so pervasive that a new genre has been named after them. Such is the case with Young Stars’ Segere - the 2001 hit song that lent its name to both the style and also the band.

 Segere is especially noteworthy read more

Over 70 years ago in 1936 Staff Band Namasabo was first formed, known then as the Huni Band. The aim was to bring together people in celebration of the customs and culture of Ukerewe. Just 45km off the coast of Mwanza, Ukerewe is the largest island of read more