Awards and Recognitions
The BBC World Music Awards 2007, presented in London , acknowledged the contribution of two individuals based in Zanzibar for “their enormous contribution to revitalizing the local music scene on the island”.Zanzibar’s traditional music was slowly falling out of favour with its young people… until Yusuf and Hilda got involved. Their efforts have brought about a revitalisation of the local scene and the island’s musical heritage. This award recognises their enormous contribution to both the local scene in Zanzibar and the world music scene globally.
Tanzania Music Award 2022 presented a special honorary award to Busara Promotions, The award recognises their strong efforts and contributions to the musical arts industry for developing, promoting, and celebrating Tanzanian and African culture in general.
Hildegard Kiel
Hildegard Kiel founded The Dhow Countries Music Academy Zanzibar (DCMA) in 2001; providing music lessons and instruments to anyone interested in studying traditional Zanzibar music styles, such as Taarab, Beni or Kidumbak.
Yusuf Mahmoud
Yusuf Mahmoud founded Busara Promotions in 2003, a non-profit NGO working throughout East Africa to promote local and international music, build skills and develop networks
DCMA
DCMA focuses mainly on teaching traditional music of the Swahili Coast and the Indian Ocean Region. The Academy provides music lessons as well as instruments at minimal cost to about 100 students each semester interested in studying music related to their cultural background.
Special workshops, seminars, concerts, exchange programs and master classes take place throughout the year.
Busara Promotions
Busara Promotions’ main event is the Sauti za Busara music festival, held annually in Stone Town, Zanzibar during February.
DJ Yusuf has revitalised the local scene in Zanzibar, not only the traditional roots music of unyago kidumbak and taarab, but also the rap-based bongo flava, which is ever popular and now draws more on the traditional music culture of Tanzania and Zanzibar.
He has also accompanied Zanzibari and Tanzanian performers on tours in Europe, UK and the Caribbean.
Yusuf in London at the Awards ceremony (photo: Joanne Moston)
Yusuf brings the World Shaker Award back to Zanzibar (photo: Peter Bennett)
Yusuf and Hilda at the Barbican, London collecting their World Shaker award (photo: Joanne Moston)
Yusuf Mahmoud & Hildegard Kiel showing off their World Shaker Awards in London (photo: BBC Radio 3)
Yusuf Mahmoud & Hildegard Kiel receiving the World Shaker Awards in London (photo: BBC Radio 3)
Hildegard Kiel & Yusuf Mahmoud with presenters Kwame Kwei-Armah and Verity Sharp in London (photo: BBC Radio 3)
Mr. Journey Ramadhan on the left festival manager Sauti za Busara receiving an honorary award from the Director of Arts Development in the Ministry of Culture Arts and Sports Emmanuel Ishengoma.
Busara Promotions honorary award from TMA 2022.
The Tanzania Music Awards 2022(TMA), presented in Dar es salaam on 29th April 2023, acknowledged the contribution of Busara Promotions’ flagship event Sauti za Busara based in Zanzibar for “its enormous contribution to uplifting the local music and cultural diversity on the island”.