ACCES playlist: Top singeli songs of 2023
To some, the videos are nothing short of scandalous and the lyrics border on the blasphemous. Yet nothing jolts Tanzania’s youth into a fever faster than a shot of singeli music.
Delivered at a dizzying pace reaching 300 BPM, female waists quickly turn elastic and male feet move in a choreographic frenzy as dust rises from the streets of Dar es Salaam, the stomping ground where the genre was born and nurtured.
Garbed in an audacious ensemble and brimming with raw energy, a street musician will lead the show, rapping or singing about what was, what is and what will be. Here, everybody and anything is game – crooked preachers, corrupt politicians, sex, heartbreak, the cost of living, football, you name it.
In just over a decade of existence, singeli is beginning to shake off its ‘street music’ tag as it makes headway into the mainstream. This charge is led by some of its devout purveyors whose high priests currently include Sholo Mwamba, Dulla Makabila, Meja Kunta, Mzee Wa Bwax, Balaa MC and their female counterparts like Kadilida and Mimah, among others.
As its rise continues to fascinate many a music enthusiast, the story of singeli will form part of the showcases and discussions at this year’s ACCES music conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from 9 to 11 November. For a full immersion into the sound’s near-mythical origin and its importance in the African music ecosystem, register to participate in ACCES here.
In the meantime, enjoy some of the top singeli tunes from 2023 ahead of the conference.
Chuu – Meja Kunta ft. Baba Levo and Ntosh Gazi
Twende Beach – Mkataba MC
Tuachane – Kadilida
Nalia – Balaa MC
Mapenzi Basi – Mimah
Tabia Mbaya – Meja Kunta ft. Dee Luck
Dundo – Sholo Mwamba
Mungu Atusamehe – Dakota and Mbosso
Peleka Gari – Dulla Makabila and Chudy
Kisugue – Seneta Kilaka ft. Mtanga MC
Mapenzi – Mzee Wa Bwax
Demu Wangu Remix – Meja Kunta ft. Marioo & Mabantu
Tajiri Remix (Dance Video) – Lava Lava ft. 2Fani & Chobamc
Mwanangu Soma – Seneta Kilaka
Kijumbe – Mabantu
Toka – Dulla Kanda
Kula Chuma Hicho – DJ Mushizo
Nikimaliza Kuitumia – DuozTZ ft. Dragon Boy
Fundi – Dogo Elisha ft. Shasco Brand
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