Bongo Flava, Tanzania’s homegrown musical force born from the fusion of hip-hop, Afrobeat, and Swahili storytelling, is steadily conquering global stages but not without internal struggles that threaten to silence its future.
From neighborhood studios in Dar es Salaam to sold-out arenas across Africa, artists like Diamond Platnumz and Ali Kiba have elevated the genre to continental acclaim, collaborating with global superstars such as Chris Brown and Jason Derulo. Yet, even as international attention grows, voices from within the industry are raising alarm about structural weaknesses choking its long-term sustainability.
Veteran artist Abdul Sykes, a pioneer with over 26 years in the scene, says the boom in global streams hasn’t translated into better earnings for most Tanzanian musicians.
“The knowledge of making money from streams came to us fairly recently. We don’t have that education, and the few that know it share it amongst each other for their benefit,” Sykes told Amnewsworld. “The agency managing my work brought me $100 after years. Imagine!”
The problem, he said, isn’t talent — it’s the lack of business knowledge, government support, and protection from piracy, an issue dating back to the introduction of audio cassettes in 1976. Despite measures like the Copyright Act of 1999 and the 2013 Tax Stamp system, piracy remains rampant.
Music producer Dupy Beats echoed the concerns, emphasizing the industry’s knowledge gap:
“Streaming platforms are the future, but many artists don’t understand royalties or contracts. Talent alone isn’t enough you need to be business savvy.”
While stars at the top of the game enjoy international fame, the majority of artists struggle to profit from their work. The lack of structured support, coupled with poor enforcement of copyright laws, leaves emerging talents vulnerable and demotivated.
Industry experts believe Bongo Flava’s heartbeat remains strong, but without innovation, education, and enforcement, its rhythm could be disrupted. Artists are calling for reforms, demanding stronger laws, state-backed funding for studios, and programs to teach artists how to monetize their craft in the streaming era.
“We’ll keep losing if things don’t change,” Sykes warned.
As the sound of Bongo Flava spreads beyond borders, the battle for its soul continues — and the fight for fair play has only just begun.
