Artists

Swifatui Abraar Group have been going since 2007. The group was started by three young men, Hassan Kumbi, Hassan Ahmada and Mashaka Kumbi, and more recently has expanded to seven artists. Their main aims are to educate and entertain Muslims and non-Muslims alike by using qasida to promote positive images read more

Tausi Women’s Taarab presents a revolution in a very traditional genre: Zanzibar’s first all-female taarab orchestra where all the instruments are played by women and accompanied by women singers.

The Tausi Taarab orchestra was formed in 2009 and presents music in the tradition of classical taarab style. Dating back read more

Kasai Allstars are a 25-piece musical collective based in Kinshasa, DRC. The group is unique in the history of Congolese music as the members hail from multiple tribes and bands, all from the Kasai region.  Historically, these tribes endured conflicting relationships over read more

Born in Mombasa Kenya, Mwanaisha Abdallah aka Nyota Ndogo has been building an enthusiastic local and international fan base for her eclectic East African sound for the past decade. A powerful singer-songwriter and charismatic performer, she has a distinctly coastal yet modern and unique sound that deserves worldwide attention.

Nyota's father read more

Mopao Swahili Jazz blend original jazz songs with rhythms from various African music traditions. Emma Mopao, a Tanzanian musician and guitar wizard founded the group to pioneer new directions for Swahili jazz. Initially influenced by the American jazz canon, the band has pioneered its song-writing and music arrangements, resulting read more

Mrisho Mpoto is one of East Africa's leading new generation of Kiswahili poets. His fame throughout the region is also unrivalled as actor, theatre director and a story-teller. Mrisho Mpoto resides in Dar es Salaam, where he spent many years working with Parapanda Theatre Lab. His artistic accomplishments are many read more