The top 20 most-streamed songs in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian music scene has undergone a major transformation in 2024, driven by the surge in digital streaming.

From January to November, a collection of tracks dominated the charts, amassing millions of streams across platforms like YouTube, Boomplay, Audiomack, and Spotify.

According to the latest data from Boomplay, YouTube, and Spotify Tanzania, these songs have not only captured the attention of Tanzanian listeners, but also have reached global audiences, reflecting a shift in how music is consumed today.

With more than 500 million streams in total, the songs on this list represent a milestone for Bongo Flava, marking 2024 as a monumental year for Tanzanian music in the digital era.

Leading the pack is Diamond Platnumz’s Mapoz, which has accumulated an impressive 68 million streams. This track, featuring Mr Blue and Jay Melody, continues to showcase Diamond’s dominant presence in the Tanzanian music scene.

His ability to stay relevant and produce hits that resonate with fans worldwide is reflected in the song’s success.

Right behind him is another of his hits, Komasava Remix, which earned 56 million streams. This track, featuring Khalil Harrison, Chley Nkosi, and Jason Derulo, highlights Diamond’s knack for successful international collaborations, extending his reach far beyond Tanzanian borders.

Nandy’s Dah!, featuring Alikiba, stands at number three with 32 million streams, making it the highest-ranking song by a female artiste this year. Its infectious energy and the powerful vocals from both Nandy and Alikiba have made it a fan favorite.

Following closely behind is Jay Melody’s Wa Peke Yangu, which earned 31 million streams. Known for his soulful voice, Jay Melody continues to rise in popularity, with this track serving as another reminder of his impact on Tanzanian music.

Other tracks that made a mark this year include Nani by D Voice featuring Zuchu, which has garnered 30 million streams.

The collaboration between these two artistes showcases a seamless blend of vocals that resonated with listeners.

Far Away by Genius Jini, also featuring Jay Melody, earned 30 million streams, solidifying the latter’s presence as one of the year’s most influential voices in Tanzanian music.

Dharau by Ibraah, featuring Harmonize, made a strong impact with 29 million streams. Its catchy beats and engaging lyrics earned it a spot among the year’s most-listened-to tracks.

Ololufe Mi, a collaboration between Jux and Diamond Platnumz, also earned 29 million streams, a testament to their strong musical partnership and their ability to produce timeless Bongo Flava hits.

Marioo’s Hakuna Matata secured 28 million streams, continuing to dominate airwaves across Tanzania. The song’s upbeat, feel-good message resonated with fans, and its place in the top ten highlights Marioo’s steady rise to prominence in 2024.

Meanwhile, Juma Jux’s Nisiulizwe, with 27 million streams, cemented his place in the industry, proving his ability to maintain his fanbase while experimenting with new sounds.

Zuchu’s Zawadi featuring Dadiposlim took the 11th spot with 24 million streams, and her solo hit Siji followed closely with 23 million.

Zuchu has dominated the Tanzanian music scene in 2024, with her powerful voice and ability to blend pop with Bongo Flava, making her an unstoppable force in the industry.

Her songs have become anthems of the year, especially Zawadi, which captured the hearts of many across the nation.

Other notable hits include Huu Mwaka by Dayoo, featuring Rayvanny, which amassed 22 million streams. This track became an anthem for the New Year, capturing the hope and energy that come with a fresh start.

Mazoea by Darassa featuring Harmonize also made a mark with 17 million streams, highlighting the strong influence of both artistes in the Bongo Flava genre.

While Harmonize did not have a song of his own in the top 20, he has continued to be a dominant force in Tanzanian music, with his collaborations on tracks like Dharau, Sensema, Mazoea, and Away racking up millions of streams.

His ability to collaborate with both established and emerging artistes speaks to his versatility and continued relevance in the music industry.

The rise of fresh talent is also evident in the success of artistes like Joel Lwaga, whose Olodumare earned 14 million streams, and Mbosso, whose tracks Ova and Kunguru earned 14 million and 13 million streams, respectively.

These artistes are carving out their space in the Tanzanian music scene, and their increasing popularity suggests that 2024 was just the beginning for them.

Zuchu’s presence in the top 20 is undeniable, with three songs (Nani, Zawadi, and Siji) making the list. This not only cements her position as the queen of Tanzanian music in 2024 but also reflects the growing trend of female artistes shaping the future of Bongo Flava.

Nandy, with her record-breaking hit Dah!, has proven her staying power, while emerging artistes like Treyza and Phina are also gaining traction, signalling a new era of female-driven hits in the industry.

The collective success of these songs—amassing more than 500 million streams—shows the growing impact of digital platforms on Tanzanian music.

As music consumption shifts to digital spaces, Tanzanian artistes are reaching wider audiences, both locally and globally.

The shift from traditional radio to streaming platforms is benefiting Bongo Flava, allowing fans to connect with their favourite artistes anytime, anywhere.

As we look to the future, the success of 2024 lays the foundation for even more groundbreaking achievements in 2025. With digital platforms continuing to shape the industry, Tanzanian music is poised for even greater success on the global stage.