2 replies to this topic

[swahiliremix]

Readiness to accept change, mistakes and criticism are a must for success in one`s life. Human beings are endowed with different talents, creativeness and learning capacity. That`s why we differ in the manner, and extent to which we handle various tasks. Tanzanian youth were introduced to the rapping music style in the late 1980s, fascinated by black US Hip Hop artists like Dr Dre, Naughty by Nature and others.

At first they just imitated US hip hop songs. They then developed their own; using local tunes, titles and the local language - Kiswahili. But at the time there were very few such artists, earning nothing more than showcasing their talents through the music which didn't amuse many parents owing to the titles and street-based language they used.

The music gained momentum in the early 1990s. Artists like Mr. II joined the bandwagon with the introduction of poems and straightforward messages. By 1995, the music had become more natural and sounded better, leading to the birth of the popular Bongo Flava - the music flavour of Dar es Salaam.

Today, Bongo Flava has spread beyond the country`s borders, gaining popularity along and artists earning millions of shillings. However, despite this growth and success of the new generation kind of music,` two antagonistic groups have emerged - those singing hip hop as opposed to those claiming to identify themselves with the so called original Bongo Flava music.

Basically, they are different only with regard to dress code and composing poems. The hip hop artists compose poems that reflect positive issues in the society. As for Bongo Flava artists, the focus is on simple issues, especially love songs. Ironically, while hip hop artists spend much time to work on constructive messages, their songs don't enjoy enough air time on radio stations.

Worse still, they perform poorly in the market, while their competitors, Bongo Flava, enjoy an upper hand. Not surprisingly, they harbour grudges against radio presenters and fellow artists. They ask: `why do meaningless songs by young Bongo Flava performers dominate the local music industry, with the attendant lucrative business, at the expense of their own positive rhythms?`

They have retaliated by composing songs poems meant to provoke Bongo Flava artists, like referring to them as `waBanaPua,` moms` boys or even beating them up when they meet at various music platforms. But it should be realised that music, like any other businesses, needs creativity and positive, sensitive to what their customers are looking for.

On that score, it should be appreciated that Bongo Flava artists were able to know what people want and composed poems that attract the attention of the public. Most Bongo Flava songs reflect hot issues that occur daily within the community: love affairs, economy or traumatic true stories.

On the other hand, while hip hop artists also compose poems reflecting community issues, the problem appears to be their complex language and idioms, which the common people are unable to interpret. The poems are also often based on issues of less interest to the majority of people.

It is time hip hop artists like Kikosi cha Mizinga, X-Plastaz, Watengwa family and Bongo Flava artists came together to compose acceptable poems. The young Bongo Flava artists who have excelled and made their life through the music include Mwana Falsafa, Chidi Benz, Fid Q, AY and Banana Zorro.

DEBATE!

[vinama'na]

dully sykes z claiming to be the founder of bongo flava

[vinama'na]

its better f u could explain the esence of bongo flava first b4 any arguments