ACCES playlist: Top singeli songs of 2023

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