Artists

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

Founded in 1995 by two of Zanzibar's leading comedians, Shabaani Muasi Vuai ( Sekembuke) and Juma Haji Usi ( Halikuniki ) a move which was prompted by Tanzania's general election. They were initially engaged for a campaign to educate people about voting rights on both the main islands of Zanzibar read more

Maalesh and his four musicians hail from the archipelago of the Comores Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Born Othman Mohamed Elyas in Moroni of Comorian father and Ugandan mother, he has been playing music since the age of twelve. Maalesh is blessed with a soulful voice and also plays electric-acoustic guitar read more

This Tanga - based group has at its core the two artists Frederick Mariki aka Mkoloni and John Simba aka Dr John. Wagosi wa Kaya comes from the Sambaa language, meaning home boys. They joined together to form the group in 1996 and started to perform in concerts around Tanga read more

Tarbia group was founded in Zanzibar in 1985. They are based at a local madrasa where they practice qasida (Islamic praise music) using dufu (hand-held frame drum) and other drums. They are highly respected among the island's Muslim community for their singing and melodies. The group performs at religious as read more

This is a group composed of teachers and pupils of the Kilimani Madrasa (Islamic school), founded in 1997 in the Kiungani section of Zanzibar town. Qasida Swiffat Nabawiyyatul offers Holy Koran classes as well as qasida (religious music) to pupils ranging from age 4 to 30 and upwards.

Qasida is performed read more