Tanzania Music Awards spark social media buzz over top categories

On October 19, this year, Tanzania’s The Super Dome in Masaki hosted one of the most anticipated music events of the year—the Tanzania Music Awards.

As the lights dimmed and the atmosphere thickened with anticipation, some of the nation’s biggest stars stepped into the limelight, receiving accolades that both thrilled and stirred heated discussions across social media.

Among the major winners were Diamond Platnumz, who scooped the ‘Best Male Artiste of the Year’ award and ‘Best Male Artiste of the Year’ for his hit song Shu!. His long-time industry rival, Alikiba, took home the ‘Best Male Bongo Flava Artiste of the Year.’

In the women’s categories, Nandy won ‘Best Female Artiste of the Year’ with her emotional hit Falling, while Zuchu stood out with awards for ‘Best Female Bongo Flava Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year,’ celebrating her tracks Naringa and Nani Remix.

Despite the glamour, some fans and industry critics have expressed frustration with what they see as redundant categories. Many took to Instagram and Twitter to question whether the event was genuinely recognising performance or merely handing out trophies to appease all big names.

In connection to that, comments from legendary comedian Tini White and his counterpart, Mkali Wenu, resonated with these sentiments.

In an online interview, Tini White pointed out, “This year’s awards seem confusing to fans because of overlapping categories. It feels like the same category was split and given to different artistes to keep everyone happy.”

On top of that, Mkali Wenu commented: “These awards have left fans puzzled with categories that seem to overlap, giving different artistes a similar recognition. It raises questions about whether the awards truly reflect performance or are just distributed to ensure everyone gets a piece.”

One of the fans, with the user name halimah_blaq, posted on her Instagram account: "It’s almost like the organisers are trying to please everyone instead of sticking to clear standards. We need transparency to keep the awards credible."

Similarly, @mzalendo_wangu twitted on his X account: "I think the categories need serious restructuring. How can Diamond and Alikiba both win the same title in different categories? It’s confusing!"

This debate has a familiar ring to it. The early 2000s and 2010s were riddled with similar accusations, with fans questioning why some deserving artistes—like Mr Blue, Dully Sykes, Kasim Mganga, and Belle 9—missed out despite delivering hits that defined eras.

The sentiment persists today, with fans expressing disappointment over the continued lack of recognition for the newer generation, who have consistently delivered in recent years.

Mbosso and Jay Melody, both known for their chart-topping hits, were notably absent from the winners' list, a move that left fans bewildered.

Mbosso’s response on his social media was heartfelt and gracious: “My music is for my fans, not just for awards. Whether I win or not, I’m grateful for everyone’s support.” His message resonated widely, reflecting the devotion of his fanbase.

Jay Melody echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “It’s nice to receive awards, but missing out doesn’t mean my work isn’t successful. My fans show me love daily, and that’s a win on its own.”

The government's stance on this issue leans toward continuous improvement, aiming for awards that resonate with regional pride and influence.

A fan with the user name @jenny_vibes said, "Honestly, it’s starting to feel like everyone just gets an award. What happened to recognising real talent? This isn't fair to artistes putting in the work."

On top of that, @official_kevin on Instagram commented, "Feels like déjà vu with these awards. It reminds me of the days when Mr Blue and Belle 9 were overlooked despite huge hits. We’re repeating history here."

Another fan revealed, "Happy for Zuchu, but Mbosso and Jay Melody were robbed! These guys are always delivering hits. They deserved to win, no question.

"Awards or not, Jay Melody and Mbosso are winning the streets. The real fans know who’s making the biggest impact in Bongo Flava right now."

However, Deputy Minister for Culture and Arts Hamisi Mwinjuma, popularly known as Mwana FA, during the preparations of the awards, shared the government’s vision: “We’re committed to enhancing these awards every year based on feedback from stakeholders. Our goal is to create an awards platform with a strong, influential presence in African music.”