A multiracial vocalist who's claiming her spot in the Bongo Flava scene

Maike Valentina, a.k.a. Daada, is a German-Colombian artiste, who grew up in Tanzania. Currently based between Dar es Salaam and Berlin, Daada makes multilingual, transcultural Bongo Flava music.

Her stage name, ‘Daada’, derives from the Swahili word ‘Dada’, meaning sister. She reveals that apart from being her brother’s nickname for her since childhood, Daada also pays homage to the multiculturality that hugs her music both lyrically and sonically and, of course, to sisterhood and womanhood, cornerstones of her message.

She is a charming 24-year-old artiste in pursuit of a career as a musician here in Tanzania.

For Daada, music is an inbred ability. She started singing and playing the violin at the age of five and penned her first song at the age of seven, accompanied by her violin.

A few years later, she picked up her grandma’s old guitar and never looked back. She has sung her stories in English, Spanish, Swahili, and German ever since.

“Ever since I was very young, I would disappear into my own little bubble inside my head and just start singing about things I saw and start turning them into songs,” says Daada.

In the last two or so years, Daada has ventured into the music world officially. She made her professional debut in 2021 with ‘Amani’, an eclectic feel-good anthem and love letter to her childhood in Tanzania, followed by ‘Mind Games,’ a captivating Indie Pop track depicting a story about mental health.

“I started pushing things more professionally,” she explains, adding that she had always known that she wanted to do music but, “along the way, I took a break, studied economics, something completely different for society, my parents. After I ticked that box, I decided no more time offs,” adds Daada.

Her recent song, influenced by the hip-shaking melodies of Amapiano, ‘Kiti’, holds a powerful message on femininity and equality.

‘Kiti’, the Swahili word for a chair, sends the message to the world to give women a seat at the table in all realms.

“It’s my ode to women, girl power, and equality, which are issues I am super passionate about. Kiti is also a reminder to myself and any woman or girl listening as well that we are capable and powerful considering Tanzania has a female president and so many other women in leadership,” reveals Daada.

The English-Swahili combination Amapiano cut produced by Daxo Chali blends elements of the piano with contemporary Bongo Flava sounds, creating a unique and captivating musical experience.

Daada straddles the sandy white beaches in the music video, with cut scenes depicting Tanzania’s aspiring women in their hardworking essence.

In an intriguing scene, we witness Daada shattering the bias as executive males were having a meeting ignoring women until Daada arrives with a fellow power woman, Martha, and occupies the CEO position, signifying women reclaiming their power as leaders in modern society.

This dynamic piece smoothly blends Amapiano’s vivid sounds with Daada’s unique style, resulting in a rousing anthem that advocates for gender equality and celebrates women’s strength and charm.

“Kiti” demonstrates Daada’s talent and aesthetic growth, cementing her place as one of Tanzania’s most promising female artistes. Her capacity to transmit powerful emotions through her music distinguishes her and makes her a musical powerhouse to be reckoned with. Daada is currently busy at work on exciting new music, eclectic and borderless as ever, and promises her fans another love letter sometime in July.