Bongo Flava is a nickname for a type of music from Tanzania. This music style began in the 1990s and was inspired by American hip hop and traditional Tanzanian music, such as taarab and dansi. The lyrics are often written in Swahili or English.

Etymology

The name "Bongo" in Bongo Flava comes from the Kiswahili word meaning brains, intelligence, or cleverness. "Bongo" is a bigger or more intense form of the Swahili word "Ubongo," which means brain. "Flava" is a Swahili word for flavor. Originally, "Bongo" referred to the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. Outside Tanzania, the word "Bongo" is often used to describe Tanzania itself. The term "Bongo" began in the late 1970s during a difficult time after global fuel shortages and the Kagera War against Uganda. People used the word "Bongo" to show that surviving in Dar es Salaam required both brain and intelligence.

In 1981, musician Remmy Ongala joined a band called Orchestra Super Matimila. Each band had a unique style or fashion, called "mtindo" in Swahili. Ongala's band, Matimila, named their style "Bongo Beat." Later, Ongala became the most famous musician from Tanzania, gaining worldwide recognition through his work with English singer Peter Gabriel.

History

Bongo Flava is a type of music called "muziki wa kizazi kipya," which means "music of the new generations." It began in the middle-class youth of Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam between the mid-1980s and 1990s. Taji Liundi, also known as Master T, was the original creator and producer of the Dj Show program. By late 1994, he was already playing songs by young local artists on the radio. Radio hosts Mike Muhagama and Taji Liundi helped support local artists on the radio. Later, Mike Muhagama became an assistant to Taji Liundi and eventually took over presenting the show alone after Taji Liundi left Radio One in 1996.

Bongo Flava existed before any recordings were made. Young people in Dar es Salaam were rapping at beach concerts, local concert halls, and in the first official rap competition called Yo! Rap Bonanza. This competition was promoted by Abdulhakim "DJ Kim" Magomelo through his company "Kim & The Boyz."

Some youth used fancy names, while others performed alone or formed groups quickly to perform. A well-known performer in the early 1990s was Adili, also called Nigga One. Saleh Jabir was the first influential dub artist in the genre. He rapped in Kiswahili over the music from Vanilla Ice's song "Ice Ice Baby." His work helped make Kiswahili a language that could be used for rapping. His version of the song was so popular that it was played on Tanzania's National Radio, making it the first rap song on Tanzanian radio.

One of the earliest groups to record and send a CD to Radio One was Mawingu Band. They became very popular in early 1994 and recorded at Mawingu Studios. The group included Othman Njaidi, Eliudi Pemba, Columba Mwingira, Sindila Assey, Angela, Robert Chuwa, Boniface Kilosa (a.k.a. Dj Boni Love), and later Pamela, who sang the famous hook of their first RnB/Rap single "Oya Msela." The song was so popular that the word "Msela" became associated with it. "Msela" means "ruffian" in Swahili.

Bongo Flava popular artists

Some popular artists from Bongo Flava are Bruce Africa, Baraka The Prince, Maua Sama, Vanessa Mdee (Vee Money), Bill Nass, Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Jux, Alikiba, A.Y., Shetta, Ben Pol, Lava Lava, Dully Sykes, Rich Mavoko, Juma Nature, Rayvanny, Nandy, Marioo, Zuchu, Mwana FA, Shilole, Jay Melody, Mbosso, Mimi Mars, Queen Darleen, Phina, Dogo Janja, Kusah, Joh Makini, and others.

Concerts and festivals

Since the beginning, concerts and festivals have helped increase the popularity of Bongo Flava. One of the first festivals was Fiesta, organized by Clouds Media Group. At Fiesta, Bongo Flava artists often perform during tours in various parts of Tanzania. Over the years, Fiesta has helped spread the influence of Bongo Flava throughout the country.

Popularity

Today, "Bongo Flava" is the most popular music style among young people in Tanzania. This is shown by the many TV and radio programs that play this music, as well as the high sales of Bongo Flava albums.

Outside of Tanzania, Bongo Flava is also very popular in nearby countries like Kenya and Uganda, which share similar cultures. The music has even spread beyond Africa. Some well-known Bongo Flava artists now perform for audiences in Western countries. A radio station in Chicago, Illinois, called "Bongo Radio," claims to be the best online source for Bongo Flava. Additionally, global music platforms like iTunes and Spotify now have playlists featuring Bongo Flava, which helps the music reach more people.

Although Bongo Flava is popular and many famous artists perform it in Tanzania, copying music is common because copyright laws are not strongly enforced. Most artists cannot earn enough money from selling their music. Instead, they rely on income from live performances or other businesses, using their popularity to help them succeed. However, some artists, like Diamond Platnumz and producer-artist Nahreel, have achieved success and are seen as role models by others.

Bongo Flava became widely known in Africa around 2014 when Diamond Platnumz released a popular song called "My Number One," which included a remix with a Nigerian artist named Davido. At the same time, music channels in Africa began playing many Bongo Flava songs by artists such as Diamond Platnumz, Vanessa Mdee, Joh Makini, and Navy Kenzo.

Since then, Bongo Flava artists have worked with famous musicians from Nigeria and other countries. These international collaborations have helped Bongo Flava gain popularity worldwide. For example, Diamond Platnumz has performed with artists like KCEE, Rema, Chike, Koffi Olomide, Adekunle Gold, Omarion, and Morgan Heritage.

Another famous Tanzanian artist, Harmonize, has also worked with many well-known musicians to spread Bongo Flava. He has performed with artists such as Awilo Longomba, Spice, Sarkodie, Korede Bello, Naira Marley, and Yemi Alade.

Characteristics

"Bongo Flava" is connected to American hip hop but has its own unique style. According to the bongoflava.net website, these artists do not need to copy American hip hop. Instead, they clearly express their identity and the sound they create. This music began with influences from American rap, R&B, and hip hop, but these styles were later changed and recreated using African traditions.

Many "Bongo Flava" artists identify with the idea of "mselah," which means being honest and having a sincere heart. For example, members of the hip hop group Afande Sele call themselves "watu pori," which means "men of the savannah." A song called "Mselah Jela" by Bongo Flava singer Juma Nature explains that a "mselah" is someone who is truthful. Like Western hip hop, Bongo Flava songs often address social and political issues such as poverty, corruption, superstition, and HIV/AIDS. These songs sometimes aim to teach listeners, a style called "edutainment." For example, Afande Sele has written songs about preventing malaria and HIV.

In recent years, many Bongo Flava songs have shifted focus to topics like love, heartbreak, success, and hardship. This change has caused disagreement between older artists, who believed in using music for education and social messages, and younger artists, who prefer songs that are more entertaining and suitable for clubs. Some people think this change is due to global influences or changing listener preferences. Certain Bongo Flava groups are especially popular within specific ethnic communities, such as the Maasai X Plastaz, who created a subgenre called "Maasai hip hop."

Bongopiano

Bongopiano combines bongo flava music and amapiano. It began in Tanzania during the 2020s. Important artists in bongopiano include Diamond Platnumz, Alikiba, Natasha, Pride Boy 4Real, Marioo, Harmonize, Nandy, Jux, Mbosso, and Zuchu.