Singeli Label Night
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| Admission: 5 EUR, reduced 2,50 EUR |
| Suitable for: 18 years and older |
| Which languages: English, No language skills required, Suaheli |
| Venue: Ground Floor, Hall 2 |
| Belongs to: Histories of Tanzania |
“This is the new tradition. This is the new culture of Tanzania.”
Singeli is the sound of young Dar es Salaam – a hybrid mix of traditional Tanzanian music forms such as Taraab and Ngoma with electro beats, pitched up to 300 bpm – extremely danceable, subversive, created for its own community and, like the urban space of Dar es Salaam, vibrantly multi-layered.
Created 15 years ago in Mburahati, a working-class neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam, the Sisso Records label is the epicentre of the movement and Jay Mitta, Kadilida, Nana and Zai are absolute stars of the scene. The raw, rushed and highly pitched sound has developed from a fringe phenomenon into Tanzania’s new national musical heritage. Singeli dominates local radio stations, clubs and streets in Dar es Salaam and inspires international festivals and clubs. Despite appearances around the world, at the Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda or at the Panoramabar in Berlin, the heart of Singeli beats in Dar.
The live acts are ecstatic and legendary. Singeli artists do not work with turntables or expensive DJ equipment, but hack their sounds directly into computer keyboards. MCs fire out frenetic lyrics in Kiswahili about precarious living conditions and experiences of violence, but also about passion, solidarity and the self-confidence of the crowd – in clear contrast to commercial Bongo Flava.
Programme
Introductary talk: Abbas Alli Jazza (Manager)
Opener: Nana & Zai
Main Act: Jay Mitta (DJ) and Kadilida (MC) with Nana and Zai as performers
Participants
Nana and Zai have been an energetic DJ/MC duo since last year. They were already part of the Singeli Movement before that, appearing as dancers with frenetic performances and have – as they say themselves – mastered the art of twerking. Born in Mburahati, Singeli’s place of origin, it is almost logical for the two of them to combine the three pillars of Singeli and declare everything under 200 bpm to be downtempo.
Jay Mitta is one of the absolute legends of the scene. He has been producing Singeli since 2008 and has played a decisive role in shaping the genre. With his debut album “Tatizo Pesa”, which was released under the label Nyege Nyege Tapes, the trained electrician finally made his breakthrough and has clubs around the world jumping out of their fuses. In 2023, he represented the label at the Berlin CTM Festival. He combines his sophisticated, melodic beats with hip-hop influences.
On stage, Jay Mitta is usually supported by the unapologetic Kadilida. As one of Tanzania’s first non-male MCs, she inspires a young generation with her tough but melodic lyrics, breaking with gender norms and redefining them.