Top singeli artists to showcase at ACCES 2023

The two musicians form part of ACCES’ mission to amplify singeli at this year’s music conference through performances, talks and more. Their performances are presented at ACCES in partnership with the Singeli to the Word project – an initiative of Alliance Française in Dar es Salaam, the French Embassy in Dar Es Salaam and other partners.

Taking place on 9, 10, and 11 November, ACCES will bring together industry professionals from more than 40 countries in Africa and around the world for an opportunity to share knowledge, network, exchange ideas, and see emerging and established artists from the continent showcase their work.

Balaa MC and Kadilida will join an eclectic showcase line-up of artist from across the continent including award-winning bongo flava star Marioo (Tanzania), Sho Madjozi (South Africa), Zolani Mahola & The Feminine Force (South Africa), Siti Muharam and The Unguja All Stars (Tanzania), Nour Harkati (Tunisia), Feli Nandi (Zimbabwe), Alostmen (Ghana), Leo Mkanyia (Tanzania), Ngwaka Son Systéme (DRC), Kasiva Mutua (Kenya), Madalitso Band (Malawi) and Damian Soul (Tanzania).

Balaa MC and Kadilida have been central to bringing singeli to the world, with the former incorporating various musical styles in his own brand of singeli. Rooted in his culture, his music tells stories of his people, their challenges and their triumphs. He is known for songs like ‘Nakuja – Remix’, ‘Kama Ujui Utajua’, ‘Sawa Nitaacha’ and ‘Stress’, among many others. In 2022, he released his 26kipaji Singeli Album. He has collaborated with various artists such as Marioo and Platform TZ, further expanding his reach and introducing his music to new audiences in the East African region and beyond.

Kadilida rose to prominence after the release of her songs ‘Singeli Poli’, ‘Kwetu’ and ‘Naumia’, which captured the hearts and minds of the genre’s most fervent fans. The Nyege Nyege Tapes act has gone on to perform on some of the biggest stages in the region and internationally, including Nyege Nyege Festival (Uganda), Kappa Music Festival (Italy), Dour Festival (Belgium) and Sauti za Busara (Zanzibar) – and now she will add ACCES to this impressive list. A favourite electronic artist on streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, her most recent songs include ‘Uroda’, ‘Naumia’, ‘Tuachane’ and ‘Kwetu’.

Register for ACCES 2023 here. African delegates register for free.

About ACCES

ACCES is a pan-African trade show for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a pan-African non-profit organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, the Tanzanian Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) and Alliance Française.

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