An exciting and vibrant study of popular music in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The Tanzanian music industry is one of the fastest growing and most expansive on the African continent. Since the 1990s, the music industry has added hundreds of new recording studios, radio stations, live performance venues, music promoters, and musical groups. Unlike many other cities in Africa, live music can be heard most days of the week throughout the city, and there remains a vibrant tradition of both traditional and popular music. The book Live from Dar es Salaam discusses the dramatic rise of the Tanzanian music industry. Early chapters discuss the history of Tanzanian music, including the role that Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam played in recording and documenting pre- and post-independence music. Subsequent chapters examine live music, including the discussions of dansi, taarab, bongo flava, kwaya, and mchiriku. There is an in-depth presentation of radio stations, announcers, and deejays, as well as a chapter on recording studios and producers. Finally, there is an analysis of music distributors, music piracy, and copyright law in Tanzania.
In addition to the book, there is a video library that can be accessed online showing examples of live performances in all of the major genres of popular Tanzanian music. The video samples correspond to sections of the book. It is a great way to read about the music and then watch clips showing artists performing the same songs.
Before he passed away, Remmy Ongala had a chance to read the book. Here is what he said: "The extensive research for this book provides valuable insight into Tanzanian culture. Live from Dar es Salaam discusses our history and examines current radio stations, performances, recording studios, and music education. In reading this book, young people will learn about what their elders did in the past, and elders will remember those things they took part in. In addition, this book will become a road map for the next generation to use in order to learn about Tanzanian popular music. It is a very important book that illustrates the past, present, and future of Tanzanian music."
If you are interested in the expressive arts in Africa or in the music business, this is certainly an important book to have. You can find the book here: