2023 stands out as a ground-breaking year for Bongo Flava

In the vibrant world of Bongo Flava, 2023 stands out as a ground-breaking year marked by unique success on the national and international stage.

Throughout the year, Tanzanian artistes have not only captivated local audiences but have also garnered widespread acclaim, securing numerous awards and nominations from prestigious national and international platforms.

From chart-topping hits such as ‘Single Again’ by Harmonize to impactful collaborations like ‘Shu’ by Diamond Platnumz featuring South African artiste, Chley, Bongo Flava's global recognition has solidified its place as a musical force to be reckoned with.

In 2023, the international acclaim reached new heights, with several Bongo Flava artists earning accolades that underscored their talent, creativity, and contribution to the global music landscape.

Not only that, at a national level, bongo flava artistes bagged different accolades, including local music awards known as the Tanzania Music Awards (TMA).

In recognition of that, The Beat has brought up the list of Bongo Flava artistes with the most awards in 2023.

Diamond Platnumz has won three international awards throughout the year. On September 5, 5 Diamond Platnumz took home the prize for ‘Best African Act’ at the MTV European Music Awards (MTV/EMA).

However, it is the third gong for WCB owner, which makes him the African artiste with the most MTV/EMA awards. He won the other two awards, which are Best African Act and Best Worldwide Act (African/India), one night back in 2015.

The ‘Shu’ hitmaker has been able to emerge with the Best Artist East Africa award from the Trace Awards held in Kigali, Rwanda, on October 21.

He also won the Best East Africa award at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (Afrimma Awards) held in Dallas, Texas, USA, on September 17.

Locally, Simba managed to take two awards home during the Tanzania Music Awards held in Dar es Salaam on April 29, whereas he won the Best Male View's Choice Digital Award and the Collaboration of the Year Award through 'Nitongoze', a song by his former WCB signee, Rayvanny.

Simba also won three awards at the Magic Vibes Awards, which were held at Mlimani City, Dar es Salaam, on November 24. The awards include the King of East Africa Award, the Best East African Live Actor Award, and the Vibe Entrepreneurship Award.

Harmonize. It’s safe to say this was ‘his year’ as he won several international awards. He won three awards in one night at the African Entertainment Awards USA (AEAUSA). Thanks to his iconic hit song ‘Single Again', which helped him win the best music video at the awards show,.

He also won the Artiste of the Year award, in which other A-list African artistes such as Burna Boy and Davido were nominated in the same category. Additionally, he was crowned with the ‘King of the East and Bongo, Afro-Bongo Flava' award. In his homeland, Konde Boy has bagged the award for Best Male Musician of the Year in this year’s Tanzania Music Awards.

Furthermore, through his major hit single of the year, ‘Single Again’ Harmonize managed to win a video of the year award at the Magic Vibes Awards. He also won the viewer’s choice award that night.

Rayvanny. On the international stage, Rayvanny succeeded in winning the UOLLYWOOD & AOLLYWOOD Awards held in the USA. He won a category named ‘Epic Iconic Organic Song Video Award’ with his ‘Forever’ song. After winning the award, Rayvanny, via his Instagram account, shared, “Since my breakthrough year in music (2016), I have never missed an award in a year. I have been winning award every year."

Rayvanny has also won a Best Collaboration award for his song 'Nitongoze, in which he featured Diamond Platnumz.

Zuchu. The ‘Honey’ hitmaker leads the wheel for female artists by winning the most awards in 2023, which are all from the Tanzania Music Awards. She at TMA.

The awards include Best Bongo Fleva Song of the Year through her hit single ‘Kwikwi’, Best Female Artist, Best Female Bongo Flava of the Year, Best Music Video of the Year through her song 'Mwambieni' and Best Female Viewer's Choice Digital. In November, Zuchu won Best R&B/Pop artist of the year at the Magic Vibes Awards.

Rosa Ree aka Baddest, was the most decorated female rapper, as she bagged two awards in the year. She won all of her two awards in a TMA night as she emerged as the Best Female Hip Hop Artiste through her project Blueprint and the Best Hip Hop Song of the Year through the same song.

She also won an award for best female hip-hop artist of the year at the Magic Vibes Awards.

Alikiba. Throughout the year, Alikiba managed to win two awards; he collected all of this year's awards at the Magic Vibes Awards.

He was named the best R&B/Pop artist of the year, and the other award was for best collaboration of the year through his song featuring Marioo, ‘Sumu.’

Phina also made the list as she won two awards in TMA, including the Best Collaboration Song Outside Tanzania award, thanks to her banger ‘Superwoman’ in which she featured Kenyan singer Otile Brown.

Dulla Makabila, a Singeli artiste also won two awards at the TMA this year, as Best Male Singeli Musician award and the Best Singeli Song award with ‘Pita Huku’.

2kizzy was crowned Best Hip Hop Producer at the TMA and Best Music Producer of the year at the Magic Vibes Awards while

Abbah Process, the other incredible music producer was named Best Bongo Flava Music Producer of the year at the TMA.

Other artistes bagged a single award including Marioo, Jay Melody, Kontawa, Abigail Chams and Darassa.