How Bongo Flava dethroned Congolese music in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. Not so long ago, on a typical Friday night in Tanzania’s bustling cities, the sounds of Congolese rumba and soukous would ripple through nightclubs, beer gardens, and wedding celebrations.

Bands like FM Academia, Extra Bongo, Akudo Impacts and Twanga Pepeta dominated the live music scene. Their melodic guitar riffs and elaborate dance routines were the gold standard of entertainment.