Dar es Salaam. East African music is turning heads on the global stage. Tanzanian stars AY, Harmonize, and Fid Q have reached a major milestone as their songs have been approved for consideration for the 68th GRAMMY Awards, marking a historic moment for Bongo Flava and Swahili‑language music worldwide.
Announcing the news on social media with excitement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Ambwene Yesaya, famously known as AY, posted: “OFFICIALLY! Grammy has approved two of my entries for nomination consideration.
This is huge, not just for me & Harmonize, but for Bongo Flava and the entire industry. These projects have no global producers or artistes, pure Bongo and neighbouring countries.”
He thanked key collaborators and industry supporters, urging fans to continue showing support as the songs move towards official nominations.
“For now, a win is a win. Now it’s up to your prayers and support, it’s a victory for all of us!” he added.
The two AY tracks under consideration are Simuoni featuring Harmonize and Wanganeka featuring Kanjiba.
Similarly, Fid Q expressed his excitement about his song Glory 2, featuring Damian Soul and Jose Chameleone.
He wrote: “I’m proud to share that our song ‘GLORY 2’ featuring @damiansoulmusic & @jchameleon has officially been approved & considered for the 68th GRAMMY Awards… @recordingacademy. This isn’t just my win, it’s OURS. From TZ to UG to the world, we’re making history together!”
Farid Kubanda, alias Fid Q, also thanked collaborators and God, emphasising the collective effort behind the achievement.
This milestone highlights the global reach of East African music and the growing influence of Bongo Flava beyond the continent.
It shows that music produced locally, in Swahili and neighbouring languages, can compete internationally while staying authentic to its roots.
Fans and industry peers alike are celebrating, viewing these approvals as a sign that the region’s voices, rhythms, and stories are finally gaining recognition worldwide
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