Music

Singeli is one of the most powerful musical movements to have emerged in East Africa in recent years. Born over ten years ago in Dar es Salaam, a sprawling capital city at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African histories and traditions, singeli stands at the confluence of cultures and generations. Like South African zulu house or Brazilian baile funk, singeli was born out of the absorption and subsequent transformation—even deconstruction—of vernacular music using cheap computer equipment. Between the shores of South African kwaito and Tanzanian hip-hop, singeli borrows from taarab—the traditional Tanzanian music of Zanzibar—as well as the highly electronic mchiriku and the ritual dance mdundiko. Speed it up, add some glitch effects, throw in an ultra-epic flow in Swahili, and you've got singeli. The genre first took hold in block parties in working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, and in kigodoro, marathon parties named after the foam mattresses on which dancers collapsed from exhaustion. At weddings, too, singeli and its deluge of beats and machine-gun delivery have replaced traditional orchestras

Singeli is one of the most powerful musical movements to have emerged in East Africa in recent years. Born over ten years ago in Dar es Salaam, a sprawling capital city at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African histories and traditions, singeli stands at the confluence of cultures and generations. Like South African zulu house or Brazilian baile funk, singeli was born out of the absorption and subsequent transformation—even deconstruction—of vernacular music using cheap computer equipment. Between the shores of South African kwaito and Tanzanian hip-hop, singeli borrows from taarab—the traditional Tanzanian music of Zanzibar—as well as the highly electronic mchiriku and the ritual dance mdundiko. Speed it up, add some glitch effects, throw in an ultra-epic flow in Swahili, and you've got singeli. The genre first took hold in block parties in working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, and in kigodoro, marathon parties named after the foam mattresses on which dancers collapsed from exhaustion. At weddings, too, singeli and its deluge of beats and machine-gun delivery have replaced traditional orchestras

Singeli is one of the most powerful musical movements to have emerged in East Africa in recent years. Born over ten years ago in Dar es Salaam, a sprawling capital city at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African histories and traditions, singeli stands at the confluence of cultures and generations. Like South African zulu house or Brazilian baile funk, singeli was born out of the absorption and subsequent transformation—even deconstruction—of vernacular music using cheap computer equipment. Between the shores of South African kwaito and Tanzanian hip-hop, singeli borrows from taarab—the traditional Tanzanian music of Zanzibar—as well as the highly electronic mchiriku and the ritual dance mdundiko. Speed it up, add some glitch effects, throw in an ultra-epic flow in Swahili, and you've got singeli. The genre first took hold in block parties in working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, and in kigodoro, marathon parties named after the foam mattresses on which dancers collapsed from exhaustion. At weddings, too, singeli and its deluge of beats and machine-gun delivery have replaced traditional orchestras

Singeli is one of the most powerful musical movements to have emerged in East Africa in recent years. Born over ten years ago in Dar es Salaam, a sprawling capital city at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African histories and traditions, singeli stands at the confluence of cultures and generations. Like South African zulu house or Brazilian baile funk, singeli was born out of the absorption and subsequent transformation—even deconstruction—of vernacular music using cheap computer equipment. Between the shores of South African kwaito and Tanzanian hip-hop, singeli borrows from taarab—the traditional Tanzanian music of Zanzibar—as well as the highly electronic mchiriku and the ritual dance mdundiko. Speed it up, add some glitch effects, throw in an ultra-epic flow in Swahili, and you've got singeli. The genre first took hold in block parties in working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, and in kigodoro, marathon parties named after the foam mattresses on which dancers collapsed from exhaustion. At weddings, too, singeli and its deluge of beats and machine-gun delivery have replaced traditional orchestras

Sisso & Maiko’s productions epitomize Singeli’s hyperlocal scenius, transforming the vitality and struggle of life on the fringes of Dar es Salaam into a unique, high-octane sound. Their fast, pitched-up rhythms create a sublime tension where music seems to accelerate beyond the limits of the dancefloor, recalling mid-’90s UK happy hardcore, Chicago footwork, Caribbean Soca, and Shangaan disco — yet entirely their own. On stage, Sisso & Maiko deliver a mesmerizing live show: frenetic, far-out, and packed with contagious good vibes. Their performances are impossible to resist, keeping audiences dancing from start to finish and translating the chaotic energy of their studio sound into a euphoric, unforgettable experience.

Members : Dj Aziz, Big Sam, Pweza, Alyssa et Barak. Genres : Tech house, deep house, drum n bass, Afro-house and Afro-tech “Our goal? To build a safe and inclusive community where everyone can have fun and express themselves through music, without borders or discrimination!” A long-term program initiated two years ago by DJ Aziz, Big Sam, and Pweza, who, driven by their love of electronic music, set up the Midimu collective. The name was inherited from the Makonde people and means “masked dancers”: “This name honors the collective’s cultural heritage and symbolizes the transformative and community-building power of music.” The vibrant collective has organized numerous events in Tanzania and in 2023 launched the first edition of its festival, Midi Fest: “We had ten participants in 2023, compared to two hundred in 2024,” say the organizers. Here, the leitmotif is focused on a single goal: “to develop the Tanzanian music scene, promote and raise awareness of different electronic genres, in particular Afro-house and Afro-tech.” In a local scene that is still largely in its infancy, the Midimu collective is on a mission: “to engage the Tanzanian public in techno, house and beyond!”

Members : Abbas Alli Jazza, Sisso, Maiko, Jaymita, Dj Bamba Pana, Queen Asher, Dj Travella, Makaveli, Rehema Tajiri, Kadilida, Kzungu, Hemedi Kiduku, Nana et Zai Genres : Singeli and its multiple variations Singeli is one of the most powerful musical movements to have emerged in East Africa in recent years. Born over ten years ago in Dar es Salaam, a sprawling capital city at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African histories and traditions, singeli stands at the confluence of cultures and generations. Like South African zulu house or Brazilian baile funk, singeli was born out of the absorption and subsequent transformation—even deconstruction—of vernacular music using cheap computer equipment. Between the shores of South African kwaito and Tanzanian hip-hop, singeli borrows from taarab—the traditional Tanzanian music of Zanzibar—as well as the highly electronic mchiriku and the ritual dance mdundiko. Speed it up, add some glitch effects, throw in an ultra-epic flow in Swahili, and you’ve got singeli. The genre first took hold in block parties in working-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of Dar Es Salaam, and in kigodoro, marathon parties named after the foam mattresses on which dancers collapsed from exhaustion. At weddings, too, singeli and its deluge of beats and machine-gun delivery have replaced traditional orchestras The genre is largely represented in Tanzania—and now far beyond—by Singeli Movement: “Since the collective was founded in 2017, we have been flying the flag for Singeli,” explain the members of the group. “We give artists access to learning opportunities and collaborations with international musicians. This support has enabled the group to tour at major festivals, notably in Europe and America. Workshops, training sessions, and competitions have also allowed us to create a solid network of cooperation abroad. A true local talent scout, Singeli Movement sources emerging local artists, thereby contributing to “the development of the electronic scene in Tanzania.”