Praise tracks, party hacks: Tanzanian music goes political

Let’s talk about Tanzania’s music scene—where artistes are turning into full-time cheerleaders for political leaders, and their playlists are slowly transforming into a political party concert series.

Seriously, at this rate, you’d think we’re all enrolled in a “Praise Politicians 101” class.

I get it—our leaders have some achievements under their belts. They deserve a song or two.

But when every artiste, from the hottest rappers to your favourite social media influencers, suddenly drops a track dedicated to a certain political leader, you start to wonder: Is this really about admiration, or are we just trying to make sure we’re on the guest list for the next party dinner?

Let’s be real—there was a time when music in Tanzania meant something. It was about speaking truth to power, challenging the status quo, and occasionally making you do a double-take, thinking, “Did they just call out the government in a chorus?" and “Wow, someone finally said it!” Those were the days when music was more than just a party anthem—it was the voice of the people.

But now, it’s like everyone’s got the same playlist: Praise Politicians, The Album.

Tracks on repeat, every radio station, every concert, and every Instagram live. I mean, it’s great to show appreciation, but is there any space left for songs that, you know, challenge anything?

Remember when musicians used to write songs about real issues? About the struggles of everyday Tanzanians? The ‘Kijiwe Nongwa’ or ‘2030’ kind of songs, the ones that made you think, “Wow, I’m not alone in this.” Now, we’re getting "Kumsifia" (praise) anthems on every corner. But now? Well, it seems like everyone’s music career is just one big, never-ending campaign rally.

There’s nothing wrong with showing respect for leadership, but when every song is a political love letter, it starts to feel like the music is less about the people and more about securing VIP access to political events.

I mean, sure, who wouldn’t want an invite to the next “exclusive” gathering? But when did music become a ticket to the power circle?

It’s important to remember that artists are more than entertainers—they’re storytellers, truth-tellers, and cultural leaders. They have the ability to highlight the everyday struggles of their audience, make us laugh, and even make us angry enough to want to take action.

Here’s the problem: When you turn your music into a political campaign, you risk losing the very essence of what made you an artist. You’re no longer just making hits; you’re making special interest tunes.

Sure, you might get invited to more VIP events, but will your fans still feel connected to you when your next song sounds like an official party anthem? Artists, it’s time for a reality check. We still need music that makes us think, laugh, cry, and sometimes get angry.

You don’t have to be a full-on rebel, but at least show us you still care about us—the ones who buy tickets to your shows, stream your music, and wear your T-shirts.

So here’s my advice: Balance it out with a track or two about life as we know it—the struggles, the hustle, and the things that make us Tanzanians. Trust me, you’ll still get airplay. You’ll still get love. And best of all, you’ll get to keep your street cred while you’re at it.