The exciting contenders for the 2024 TMAs revealed

The Tanzania Music Awards (TMA) for 2024 have officially opened their voting window, and this year’s competition promises to be particularly fierce.

With a diverse roster of nominees across 17 categories, the awards ceremony on September 29, 2024, is shaping up to be a high-stakes event for Tanzania’s musical elite.

As of September 3, 2024, music lovers and industry insiders can start casting their votes, with the deadline set for September 28, 2024. This year’s nominees reflect a stunning array of talent, but it’s the Artist of the Year and Best Song of the Year categories that are generating the most buzz due to their exceptionally competitive nature.

The Artist of the Year category is particularly challenging, showcasing a stellar lineup that includes industry titans and rising stars alike. In the Male Artist of the Year category, the competition is intense between seasoned stars like Alikiba, Diamond Platnumz, and Harmonize.

Each of these artists has delivered remarkable performances and chart-topping hits, making their competition against one another a highlight of this year's awards. Alikiba’s “Sumu,” Diamond Platnumz’s “Shu,” and Harmonize’s “Single Again” are not only standout tracks but also reflect their continued influence in shaping Tanzanian music.

Adding to the challenge, they are up against dynamic newer artistes like Marioo, whose “Shisha” has captivated listeners, and Jay Melody, whose “Nitasema” has also made a significant impact.

The inclusion of these vibrant artistes makes this year’s competition even more unpredictable, as each nominee brings a unique flair and fan base.

This year’s awards highlight not only the achievements of established artistes but also the rise of new talents and the evolving dynamics within the Tanzanian music industry. The intense competition among top artistes like Alikiba, Diamond Platnumz, and Harmonize against emerging stars like Marioo and Jay Melody exemplifies the thriving and diverse nature of Tanzanian music.

All the nominees across 17 categories represent a rich tapestry of Tanzanian musical talent, reflecting the vibrant and evolving landscape of the country's music scene.

TMA committee, led by Chairman David Minja and Vice Chairperson Christine ‘Seven’ Mosha, has spotlighted an impressive array of artists across various genres and categories.

The Female Artist of the Year category features prominent names such as Zuchu with “Honey,” Anjella with “Blessing,” Malkia Leyla Rashid with “Watu na Viatu,” and Nandy with “Falling.” These artists have captivated audiences with their powerful performances and chart-topping hits.

The Bongo Flava Male Artist of the Year** category showcases Diamond Platnumz with “Yatapita,” Jay Melody with “Sawa,” Alikiba with “Mahaba,” Marioo with “Love Song,” and Harmonize with “Single Again.”

Similarly, the Bongo Flava Female Artist of the Year nominees include Zuchu with “Naringa,” Appy with “Watu Feki,” Nandy with “Falling,” Phina with “Sisi ni Wale,” and Anjella with “Blessing.”

Collaboration of the Year nominees highlight exciting musical partnerships, including Alikiba featuring Marioo on “Sumu,” Mbosso featuring Chley on “Sele,” Abigail Chams featuring Marioo on “Nani,” Jux featuring Diamond Platnumz on “Enjoy,” and Diamond featuring Koffie Olomide on “Achii.”

In the Album of the Year category, the competition is fierce with Abigail Chams’ “5,” D Voice’s “Swahili Kid,” Navy Kenzo’s “Most People Want This,” Harmonize’s “Visit Bongo,” and Rayvanny’s “Flowers III.”

Emerging talents are recognised in the New Artist of the Year category, with nominees Xouh for “Lalala,” Chino Kidd for “Gibela,” Appy for “Watu Feki,” Mocco Genius for “Mi Nawe,” and Yammi for “Namchukia.”

The Hip Hop Song of the Year contenders include Rapcha with “Uongo,” Country Wizzy with “Current Situation,” Young Lunya with “Stupid,” Stamina featuring Bushoke with “Machozi,” and Joh Makini with “Bobea.”

By the same token, the Hip Hop Artist of the Year nominees are Young Lunya with “Stupid,” Kontawa with “Dunga Mawe,” Stamina with “Machozi,” Joh Makini with “Bobea,” and Rosa Ree with “Mama Omollo.”

In the DJ of the Year category, the nominees are DJ D Ommy, DJ Seven Worldwide, DJ Shana Mnyamwezi, DJ Hijab, and DJ Mamie.

The awards also celebrate excellence in music videos, with nominees for Best Video of the Year including Hanscana for “Maokoto,” Director NiCKLASS for “Dunga Mawe,” Ivan for “Sele,” Folex for “Achii,” and Director Wayan for “Huku.”

For Best Traditional Musician, nominees are Elizabeth Maliganya for “Boda Boda,” Erica Lulakwa for “Aragoba,” Sinaubi Zawose for “Pesa,” Ngapi Group for “Berita,” and Wamwiduka Band for “Usizime Muziki.”

Whereas, in the Best Traditional Song of the Year category, contenders are Sinaubi for “Pesa,” Man Fongo & Nyati Group for “Sauti ya Kumoyo,” Erica Lulakwa for “Aragoba,” Wazawa Music Band for “Muziki Hauna Mwenyewe,” and Wamwiduka Band for “Usizime Muziki.”

On the Dance Musician of the Year category, Christian Bella with “Kanivuruga,” Melody Mbassa with “Hellena,” Papi Kocha with “Jela ya Mapenzi,” Charlz Baba with “Mmbeya,” and Sarah Masauti with “Popo” are competing for the title. While Diamond featuring Koffie Olomide with “Achii,” Melody Mbassa with “Nyoka,” Malaika Band with “Kanivuruga,” and Twanga Pepeta with “Mmbeya” are up and arming for the Dance Song of the Year trophy.

Dancehall Artist of the Year nominees are DJ Davizo with “Dancehall,” Baddest 47 with “Zagamua,” Appy with “Mr Hater,” and Bayo The Great with “Nakupenda.” The **Dancehall Song of the Year** category includes Planner with “You,” Bayo The Great with “Nakupenda,” DJ Davizo with “Dancehall,” Appy with “Mr Hater,” and Baddest 47 with “Zagamua.”

Reggae Artist of the Year contenders are Akilimali with “Africa Mama,” Dipper Rato with “Grateful,” Dimateo Zion with “Rhymes ToNight,” Ras Nono with “Andika,” and Warriors From The East with “Wewe.”

The Reggae Song of the Year nominees include Warriors From The East with “Wewe,” Akilimali with “Africa Mama,” Dimateo Zion with “Rhymes ToNight,” Mr. Kamanzi with “Give And Thanks,” and Paul Mihambo with “Salamu Zako.”

The Taarabu Musician of the Year category features Father Mauji with “Umenibamba,” Bob Rama with “Nkurumbi,” Bbu Juha with “Kisaka,” Thabit Abdul with “DSM Sweetheart,” and Mfalme Mzee Yusuph with “Sina Wema.”

The Taarabu Song of the Year nominees are Malkia Leyla Rashid with “Watu na Viatu,” Salha with “DSM Sweetheart,” Mwansiti Mbwana with “Sina Wema,” Mwinyimkuu with “Bila Yeye Sijiwezi,” and Amina Kidevu with “Hatuachani.”

Additionally, the Tanzania Global Icons Award celebrates outstanding individuals representing Tanzania on the global stage, with nominees including football star Mbwana Samatta, fashion icon Flaviana Matata, circus performers Ramadhan Brothers, and entrepreneurs Anisa Mpungwe and Clara Luvanga.

In the Best Music Video of the Year category, nominees are Billnass with “Maokoto,” Mbosso with “Sele,” Zuchu featuring Innos B with “Nani Remix,” Diamond featuring Koffie Olomide with “Achii,” and Harmonize with “Single Again Remix.”

Finally, the Best Song East West and Southern Africa category features Libianca with “People,” Qing Madi with “American Love,” Asake with “Lonely at the Top,” David with Musa Keys with “Unavailable,” and Tyler ICU with Tumelo featuring DJ Maphorisa with “Mnike.”

With the voting window now open and the ceremony fast approaching, the excitement surrounding the TMA 2024 is palpable.

The fierce competition in these categories underscores the vibrant and dynamic nature of Tanzanian music. As fans prepare to cast their votes and the awards ceremony approaches, the anticipation is building.