Top 10 Musicians in Tanzania 2025

Grab your popcorn, music lovers, the Tanzanian Bongo Flava scene is serving up more drama than your favorite telenovela! Remember the epic showdowns between Diamond Platnumz and Ali Kiba? Those were just the warm-up acts! Now we’ve got a whole new crew of musical mavericks who aren’t just knocking on the palace doors—they’re bringing a whole battering ram!

The battle for Research 8020’s Top 10 crown in 2025 is spicier than your mama’s pilau, and these fresh faces are cooking up hits that are making the old guards sweat through their designer suits. We’re talking chart-topping numbers that don’t just speak, they SCREAM in capital letters with multiple exclamation points!!!

Ready to discover who’s still wearing the Bongo Flava crown and who’s been sent packing? Buckle up, buttercup, this countdown is about to take you on the wildest ride in East African music!

1. Diamond Platnumz

From the bustling streets of Tandale emerged a diamond that would outshine them all. Naseeb Abdul Juma, known as Diamond Platnumz is a phenomenon who transformed from a humble clothes vendor into East Africa’s undisputed music monarch. This ‘Simba’ of the airwaves began his reign in 2006, when at just 18, he invested his entrepreneurial gains into a dream that seemed impossible. Though his debut “Toka Mwanzo” barely caused a ripple, 2010’s “Kamwambie” exploded like a musical supernova, announcing the arrival of Tanzania’s new king. Now, as the mastermind behind WCB Wasafi, he’s not just creating hits – he’s crafting legacies through artists like Zuchu and Mbosso. His “Yope Remix” with Innoss’B, commanding an astronomical 238 million views, proves that in the realm of African music, some diamonds truly are forever.

2. Rayvanny

From Diamond’s protégé to Tanzania’s sonic sensation, Rayvanny’s metamorphosis is nothing short of spectacular. The boy from Mbeya, affectionately known as Chui or Vannyboy, hasn’t just climbed the music ladder – he’s redesigned it entirely. His anthem “Kwetu” didn’t just introduce him to the world; it announced the arrival of a new bongo flava king. When MTV Base prophetically named him an “Act to Look Out For” in 2017, they weren’t predicting success – they were witnessing the birth of a legend. Now commanding the number two spot in Tanzania’s musical hierarchy, his smash hit “Number One” hasn’t just accumulated 97 million YouTube views – it’s become a testament to his unstoppable ascent. From Next Level Music’s CEO to chart-topping virtuoso, Rayvanny isn’t just making music – he’s crafting tomorrow’s classics.

3. Harmonize

From WCB Wasafi’s golden boy to Konde Music Worldwide’s visionary chief, Harmonize isn’t just a success story – he’s a living testament to bongo flava’s boundless potential. The crown prince of Tanzanian music has transformed from Diamond’s protégé into a dazzling star in his own constellation. His monster hit “Kwangaru” hasn’t just racked up 119 million views; it’s become a cultural phenomenon that’s redefined East African music’s boundaries. When Diamond Platnumz discovered this rough diamond in 2015, he was unleashing a musical revolution. Now sitting regally at number three, Harmonize proves that some talents can’t be contained by record labels or borders. In the grand orchestra of African music, he’s not just playing his part – he’s conducting a whole new symphony.

4. Zuchu

Born into musical royalty as the daughter of legendary Taarab singer Khadija Kopa, Zuchu hasn’t just inherited greatness – she’s rewritting its definition. The WCB Wasafi songbird has soared beyond being Diamond Platnumz’s protégé to become East Africa’s undisputed queen of melody. Her voice doesn’t just sing – it weaves spells that have enchanted over 500 million YouTube viewers, making her the first East African female artist to reach this stratospheric milestone. AFRIMMA’s Emerging Artist Award wasn’t just a trophy – it was prophecy fulfilled. Perched regally at number four, Zuchu isn’t just competing with the boys’ club – she’s redecorating it with her own brand of musical magic. With her trajectory pointing straight to the stars, 2026’s crown might just have found its rightful queen.

5. Mbosso

From Yamoto Band’s golden voice to WCB Wasafi’s crown jewel, Mbosso Khan isn’t just singing songs – he’s painting masterpieces with melodies. His 2017 metamorphosis wasn’t just a career move; it was a musical resurrection that transformed Tanzania’s soundscape forever. Like a phoenix rising from Yamoto’s ashes, Mbosso has soared to heights that even gravity envies. His smash hit “Baikoko” hasn’t just captured 59 million views. The song has captured hearts with over 300 million YouTube views proving that some voices are simply too powerful to be contained. Nestled comfortably in Tanzania’s top echelon of musical royalty, Mbosso Khan is redefining what’s possible when raw talent meets unstoppable ambition. In the grand symphony of Bongo Flava, his voice isn’t just a note – it’s an entire orchestra.

6. Ali Kiba

Bow down to Tanzania’s musical monarch – Ali Kiba, the undisputed King of Bongo Flava. Since 2004, this sonic sovereign has been rewriting musical scriptures, aging like the finest vintage while new school artists bow at his throne. With “Mwana” blazing 37 million YouTube views by December 2024, King Kiba proves legends never fade – they evolve. Securing the 6th spot on Tanzania’s musical hierarchy isn’t a ranking, it’s a coronation. His collaborative prowess spans local and international stages, each track a masterclass in musical alchemy. While generations of artists rise and fall, Ali Kiba stands unshaken – a living blueprint of musical excellence. This isn’t just a career; it’s a musical dynasty where King Kiba doesn’t just create hits, he creates history.

7. Jux

Jux’s meteoric explosion in Tanzania’s music scene is nothing short of electrifying. This musical maverick has demolished every barrier, thrusting himself into Research 8020 Limited’s top 10 with raw, unapologetic talent. His collaboration with Diamond Platnumz on ‘Enjoy’ is a seismic statement on YouTube with a staggering 102 million views. Each beat, each lyric screams of an artist who refuses to be contained. Jux isn’t just climbing the ladder; he’s detonating it, leaving competitors trembling in his wake. His trajectory is a blazing comet, unstoppable and blinding, aimed directly at the musical throne. The crown is within his grasp, and everyone knows it.

8. Zabron Singers

In the pulsating heart of Tanzania’s music scene, the Zabron Singers aren’t just another gospel group – they’re a blazing phenomenon that’s setting the industry on fire. On Research 8020’s top 10, breaking records as the first and only group to achieve this feat. But behind their electrifying performances lies a story of family bonds forged in musical flames.

Born from the union of two families, these vocal powerhouses – the offspring of siblings Joseph and Monica – transformed their humble living room harmonies into stadium-filling anthems. Named after their virtuoso uncle Zabron, whose musical genius flowed through the Zengelema SDA Choir, the group emerged under the audacious leadership of Emmanuel, then just a teenage visionary in Form 2. Even after losing their beloved chairman Marco Joseph, they’re not just surviving – they’re soaring higher than ever.

9. Jay Melody

In a world where artists paint with either tears or smiles, Jay Melody is the musical alchemist who transforms every note into pure sonic seduction. He doesn’t just sing about love – he crafts irresistible audio spells that have listeners falling head over heels with every beat. His meteoric rise is about his uncanny ability to bottle raw emotion into melodies that set souls on fire.

With ‘Nakupenda’ blazing past 35 million views, this young maestro isn’t just climbing the charts – he’s rewriting them. Street-smart and studio-sharp, Jay Melody has become Africa’s answer to love’s greatest questions, leaving a trail of swooning fans across continents. As 2025 unfolds, one thing’s crystal clear: this isn’t just another star rising – it’s a whole new constellation being born.

10. Marioo

In the gladiatorial arena of Tanzanian music, Marioo isn’t just fighting for survival – he’s dancing with destiny. Though he’s slipped from 8th to 10th in Research 8020’s coveted rankings, this musical warrior is far from finished. With ‘Naogopa’ exploding past 43 million views, he’s not just making waves – he’s creating tsunamis in the industry’s ocean.

His sonic fire burns brighter with each release, scorching the boundaries between afro beats and bongo flava. But 2025 promises an epic showdown as he sets his sights on dethroning the titans – Harmonize and Diamond Platnumz. The heat’s cranking up in Tanzania’s musical kitchen, and Marioo’s cooking up something that could shake the very foundations of the industry’s hierarchy.

BOOM! There you have it, folks – Tanzania’s musical titans who are rewriting the rules of the game in 2025!

This blazing hot top 10 is a volcanic eruption of pure talent that’s sent shockwaves through East Africa’s music scene. From street-smart hustlers to stadium-filling superstars, these artists aren’t just performers – they’re cultural earthquakes waiting to happen.

For brands hunting their next golden ticket to consumers’ hearts, these maestros hold the keys to the kingdom. They’ve clawed their way to the top, leaving a trail of platinum hits and broken records in their wake!

You can view the full report featuring the 50 artists here.

To find out more about this report or get in touch, please contact us.

Thank you for joining us on this musical voyage through Tanzania!