Award-winning Tanzanian rapper Sharif Thabit Ramadhan, better known as Darassa, has dropped a new track with Harmonize and it’s getting a lot of love from their fans.
The song titled Yumba, which is a Swahili word that means to sway, proves that the two Bongo artists should release more joints together because it’s really dope.
Darassa
As expected, Darassa came through with dope wordplay and witty rhymes. To add to that, there’s the fact that he has great punchlines and you just want to keep listening to him.
This guy’s creativity is on another level. To be honest, I don’t think there is a Tanzanian artist whose rap prowess can be compared to that of this guy but that’s a story for another day.
Harmonize also brought his A-game. There’s a way that he spices up this song that words can’t really explain. He and Darassa sound so good together it as if they were meant for each other. Okay, now I am pushing it.
Harmonize
The beat on this jam is also decent. If you are a fan of Bongo music unlike me, you will find it hard to listen to Yumba while you are seated down. Chances are you get up to bust a move.
Listen to Yumba below and tell us what you think. Enjoy!
Kenyan artists have been working with their Tanzanian counterparts a lot more lately so much so that people who don’t like Bongo music, like yours truly, are starting to feel like it’s worth their time.
We’ve seen some impressive collabos between Tanzanian and Kenyan artists in the recent past. Some of the include; Timmy Tdat & Rosa Ree, Willy Paul and Nandy, Bahati and Rayvanny, Juma Jux and Nyashisnki and so on.
In my opinion, we need to see more of these and that’s why I came up with a list of artists who I think should work together because why not? Also there’s the fact that it well grow East African music.
That being said, here’s our wish list of collabos:
1. Nadia Mukami and Juma Jux – After watching their mash up of African Lover on Coke Studio, I think these two should get into studio like yesterday.
Nadia Mukami and Juma Jux
2. Rosa Ree and Khaligraph Jones – This collabo should have happened a long time ago. I mean why not? Both artists are bad-ass rappers and they would really kill it on one track.
Rosa Ree and Khaligraph Jones
3. Otile Brown & Vanessa Mdee – I’m not quite sure about this but something tells me that a collabo between them would be totally fire. I’m looking forward to the day they will give us a treat.
Otile Brown and Vanessa Mdee
4. Arrow Bwoy and Rayvanny – I live for the day these two musicians will release a song together. Thinking about it just gives me goosebumps. If a collabo between them comes to pass, it will be the biggest song of the year.
Arrow Bwoy and Rayvanny
5. Nyashisnki and Nandy – I feel like a collabo between these two would be pure bliss. Nandy’s smooth vocals would really blend in well Nyashisnki’s rap. Get into studio guys!
Nyashisnki and Nandy
6. Vivian and Darassa – This is another one that I’m not quite sure about. However, I feel like a rap-infused song with Vivian’s vocals would be totally fire.
Vivian and Darassa
Which collabo are you looking forward to? Tell us below.
Tanzanian music is big in Kenya. This is a fact of life and from the look of things, this will be the case for a long time to come. It’s just what it is.
If you are keen enough, you’ll notice that the top trending songs on YouTube (Kenya) are usually Tanzanian songs. As we speak, Diamond’s latest single dubbed The One is occupying the number one spot.
Before that, Harmonize’s Kainama was trending at number one and before that it was probably another Wasafi song or a song the likes of Aslay, Shetta Juma Jux, Darassa or even Ali Kiba. The point is, the biggest song in Kenya on most occasions is always a Tanzanian song.
There’s no explanation for this other than the fact that musicians from that country are very consistent and then there’s the obvious fact that their music is good. From the videos, to the lyrics down to the beat, everything is always top-notch.
Naturally, if you are a music fan, whether male or female, you’ll find yourself vibing to these songs never mind the fact that they are Bongo songs. Let’s be honest, when a song is good, it’s good there are no two ways about it.
I was recently having a conversation with some friends and I thought I should ask them what their thoughts are on men who listen to Bongo music. My question was driven by the fact that Tanzanian jams are always trending in Kenya.
Some of them claimed they would never listen to such songs. If they did, they would come off as weak men. Others, however, admitted that they listen to Bongo music because the songs are infectious. Incase you were wondering, I fall in the latter category. I listen to Tanzanian songs once in a while. Yup!
Truth is, no music genre is a preserve of a certain gender. It’s just the way the society has shaped our thinking. From a young age, men are taught to be tough while ladies are seen as soft. Perhaps this explains why men are drawn to Hip Hop while ladies are drawn to Bongo music, R&B and what not.
This should not be the case. Men should not feel like they are losing their masculinity because they love Bongo music. It’s totally okay to enjoy music that you feel is good. There’s absolutely no shame in it.
Diamond Platnumz
Allow me to say this again, “No music genre is a preserve of a certain gender.” If you enjoy Bongo music, knock yourself out, it doesn’t make you any less of a man. And no, I’m not telling you to listen to Tanzanian songs at the expense of Kenyan music.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Darassa is back, this time with Jux for the jam ‘Leo’. This duo is not disappointing and the song is worth watching and listening to. The audio was produced by Abbah and the video directed by Hanscan. Leo is a swahili word which simply means today. Darassa is well known for his poetic kind of music and it is a cultivating one.
Into production, the jam was well thought off. Looking at the setting of the location was great and well done. Also the sound was well catered for making it clear to get the lyrics. The beats of the song bring out the hype in Darassa. There is creativity in the video, for instance, during introduction Darassa is frying something which gives taste to the introduction.
I like Darassa’s poetic introduction; ” Hello its me again Mr Burudani, take away the pain Pole kwa kuchelewa si unajua foleni Nawapa vidonge kutuliza complain” This is an apology to the fans for being late. Isn’t this a good way to capture attention?
On to my favourite part; “Kichwa, sijabeba kama pambo Akili, nimetega kwenye chambo Fullu, charge na fullu bundle Ukileta usoo, unawekwa kando” metaphorical description is used to show how ready he is today as he gets back.
“Leo” is open to anyone especially those who understand the Tanzanian swahili. Look at the words how they are flowing. Although the lyrics are good I would only play the audio on the airwaves and the video in a club setting. Also the vixens give the song life. They are scantly dressed for the video and the way they dance to the song is good.
Generally, the duo teaming up is a good thing, they have given power to music collaboration. I would give the song a rating of 6/10. I am a huge fan of Darassa and the poetic style in his work.
Darassa is not a new name in the entertainment industry. A while back his music ruled most East African airwaves; but it has been a while since he released a new project.
His last song was released about 11 months and since then he has gone missing in action. However, just recently he was spotted hanging out with a group of guys and from the photo many believe that they were all not sober.
The photo has since sparked several speculations including that Darassa could now be abusing hard drugs.
Rapper responds to his photo
With the news spreading like wild fire, Darassa has been forced to respond. Speaking to a popular Tanzanian news outlet the singer said;
Jamani Mimi niko poa kabisa, maneno yanayosemwa na watu sidhani kama yanahitaji kuaminika kama sijasema mimi au pasipo na Ushahidi. Niko poa na naendelea na mitikasi yangu, studio kama kawa na pale nitakapoweka mambo yangu sawa kwa maana ya kuwa tayari kuwafahamisha chochote mashabiki wangu watajua tu. Ila kwa sasa nimeamua iwe hivyo inavyoonekana”
Darassa asserts that he does not suffer from drug addiction. The ‘Too Much’ hit maker is rumored to be using banned substance.
Drug use is a real menace in Tanzania and several artists in Bongo have at one point used drugs. Last year several celebs including Wema Sepetu were busted in police drug sweep.
Speculation has been rife that Darassa is also doing drugs. The rumor started after the ‘Muziki’ hit maker went silent on social media and entertainment joints.
I have several projects
Darassa dismissed the rumor while speaking to Clouds FM on Sunday. He explained that he has been missing in action because he was involved in other projects.
Darassa
“I have accomplished several big projects; and given the popularity of my name, some people would want to see me being active on social media; others would want to know the woman I’m dating; some would want to know where I hang out often. I don’t share that information publicly,” said Darassa.
He blamed information vacuum for rumors about him using drugs. Darassa says that his rivals are behind the rumors because they are scared of his silence.
“And because there’s an information vacuum about what I do in private, some people have speculated that I abuse hard drugs and substances; others claim I’m confused. No, I am doing fine. People are often scared of silence; when your competitor is silent, you don’t know what he or she is planning; and as a result, you tend to panic. That is what is happening with my competitors.”
Nairobi Diaries actress cum singer and video vixen Pendo seems to be making money moves. Lately she has been slaying on her Instagram page that has now seen her land a new project with Tanzanian singer, Darassa.
Speaking to Pulse the lady revealed that she will be featuring on the singer’s next project as a video vixen. Pendo went on to add that she had to travel to Tanzania where they both closed the deal.
The project will hopefully be out in January since this is when Darassa will be releasing his project. To confirm the news Pendo told Pulse;
