Artists

Established in Dar es Salaam during December 2006, Jahazi Modern Taarab group is currently the leading taarab group in Tanzania, with more fans than any other. Their success story can be attributed to Mzee Yusuf, the manager and owner who is also one of the pioneer musicians read more

Established over 70 years ago, Juhudi Taarab is a Zanzibari treasure – a traditional taarab group with members hailing from all regions of Pemba. For nearly three generations, they have kept the taarab tradition alive and currently feature many celebrated artists and composers known throughout the region, such as Malik read more

Back in the 1950s and 60s many regions in Zanzibar including the streets of Stone Town had at least one taarab or kidumbak group. Sadly few remain. However, in the village of Mahonda, on the main road north from Zanzibar Town, since 1993 the KIKI Kidumbaki group has been alive read more

Kikundi cha Taarab Kizazi Kipya (KIKI) presents a new sound of orchestral taarab music, combining modern and acoustic instruments. They are from Mahonda district, around 25 miles north of Zanzibar town, and have come under the spotlight since Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA Zanzibar) recently opened a branch in Mahonda. read more

Mombasa based taarab group Lelelele Africa, formerly known as Diamond Star, formed in 1995.[[[ Over the years the band felt they needed a more original title, primarily one which was not in English, so in 2006 band leader Mbaraka Haji and new producer Elchie conceived the band read more

Mohammed Issa Matona was born in 1969 in Paje, Zanzibar about 45 miles from Stone Town.

He received his primary and secondary education in Zanzibar and Morogoro but spent most of his time in making music from early age. He participated in football and athletics, but his favourite early hobby was read more