FMES: Tuwakumbuke Wanamichezo Africa!

William J. Malecela · Dec 28, 2009

Mohammed Issa Matona
Mohammed Issa Matona is a Tanzanian cultural icon from the island of Zanzibar whose music is celebrated the world over and today's track, Msumeno is probably the best known piece of music thanks to it's inclusion in the 2005 CD [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Tanzania-Various-Artists/dp/B000EHQ7NS"]Rough Guide to the music of Tanzania[/ame] and the 2005 CD [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-World-Various-Artists/dp/B000M5AKJE"]Rough Guide: World Party[/ame]. And the tone of the music, as I am sure you have guessed by now, is … wait for it… mellow.

Since many of you have heard this track though, I will throw a twist into the mix with a track from 30 years before Msumeno, the 1975 track Mzigo from Issa Muhamad - whom almost certainly is not Issa Matona the Senior but my research was not able to come up with any conclusive evidence one way or the other.

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

FMes na Kichuguu,

Kuna huu wimbo wa zamani sana Ameimba Mpongo LOVE. Nilishangaa sana kusikia kuwa mtunzi na mwimbaji (kweli unamsikia akiimba) alikuwa Mayoni Mayaula ambaye katikati ya miaka ya 90 alitamba sana na ile album yake ya AU KILO??

Wimbo huo kwa kweli nilikuwa popote nilipo, ntausikiliza hadi uishe bila ya kujali ntachelewa wapi. Na utoto huo, wakati mwingine inaishia kibano, kisa wimbo wa NDAYA.

Wimbo huu Saxaphone zake zinazopiga kwenye (2:00) zinafanana kabisaa na zile Saxa walipiga Vijana Jazz kwenye wimbo mmoja ambao Marehemu Maneti anaimba "Wana CCM wote, sasa tufungue macho, kwani jama kikulacho, mbona kinguoni mwako......" na mbele kidogo zinapigwa Saxa hizo kabisa.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bnCqxAYf1s[/ame]

Huyu mama Mpongo Love kulikuwa na tetesi kuwa alikuwa nyumba ndogo ya Mobutu. Ila kuna video moja kwenye youtube, Mwalimu Mzee Fulangenge Papa Shungu Wemba akionyesha umahiri wake wa kutongoza mwanamke LIVE kwenye TV. Anyway, Ndaya ulikuwa umetulia.

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

Wimbo wa dada Asha kwa kweli nilikuwa naupenda sana. Na Soukous Star walipopiga na kuiita Nairobi Night ilikuwa masikitiko makubwa kwa sababu nyimbo nyingi kwenye huo wimbo ni za Tanzania. Dada Asha, Rosa, Vigelegele ndiyo furaha .......

By the way, FMes umeweka historia ya bendi, je wimbo ulishauona??

Nakumbuka enzi hizo kaka zangu wamekariri hadi sehemu JOGOO LINAWIKA....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wxZAUskA2M[/ame]

William J. Malecela · Dec 28, 2009

Tabora Jazz Band - old school favorite

The Tabora Jazz Band was one of Tanzanian pop's seminal bands. [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muziki_wa_dansi"]According to Wikipedia[/ame], they were one of the key bands that developed the Tanzanian pop sound I really love called "Muziki was dansi", which came from Congolese/Rumba and Sokous sounds. Unfortunately the quality of this cassette, which is probably from before the 70s, is not super good. Still, the standout track here is Mariam Mpenzi. Particularly the latter part of the track in the breakdown is fantastic. I'd so love to find a better recorded version of this.

Dada Hawa, Tabora Jazz Band

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Copied from the original vinyl single released in 1973 by : Saba Saba Records, P.O. Box 302, Jericho, Kenya.

Respect.

FMEs!

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

Jamani kesho ntamalizia hii STORY.

Ntaandika zaidi uhusiano wa Lucky Dube na hii kitu iitwayo MBAQANGA BEATS. Ila kabla ya Yvonne Chakachaka kulikuwa jamaa wanaitwa SOUL BROTHERS of South Africa. Hawa wengi wao walikuwa kwa ajali ya ndege wakitoka USA. Ukichunguza sana utagundua kuwa hata NDOMBOLO ya Wacongo imetoka Saouth Africa. Miaka ya 80 walitamba na kibao cha KURUKUNI????

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg581lMriaU&feature=related[/ame]

William J. Malecela · Dec 28, 2009

PHILIPS

PHILIPS

Jamhuri Jazz BaJamhuri Jazz Band was founded in late 1950s in Tanga, Tanzania[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanganyika"]Tanganyika[/ame]. It was one of the more popular Tanzanian musical groups. Jamhuri Jazz played a key role in the spread of the [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soukous"]Congolese rumba[/ame] sound throughout East Africa in the earl seventies. when the country was known as

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson_Kinyonga"]Wilson Kinyonga[/ame] and [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Kinyonga"]George Kinyonga[/ame] joined the band in 1966 and played with it for the next four years before leaving in December 1970 to found Arusha Jazz Band and later [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simba_Wanyika"]Simba Wanyika[/ame], one of the most influential music groups in East Africa.Jamhuri Jazz Band started as Young Nyamwezi Jazz Band and was finaced and managed Mr. Joseph Bagabuje and recruted John Kijiko. Mr Bagabuje was the first Tanganyikan to run Amani Tea Estate. <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script>

Kichuguu · Dec 28, 2009

Sikonge said:
FMes na Kichuguu,

Kuna huu wimbo wa zamani sana Ameimba Mpongo LOVE. Nilishangaa sana kusikia kuwa mtunzi na mwimbaji (kweli unamsikia akiimba) alikuwa Mayoni Mayaula ambaye katikati ya miaka ya 90 alitamba sana na ile album yake ya AU KILO??

Wimbo huo kwa kweli nilikuwa popote nilipo, ntausikiliza hadi uishe bila ya kujali ntachelewa wapi. Na utoto huo, wakati mwingine inaishia kibano, kisa wimbo wa NDAYA.

Wimbo huu Saxaphone zake zinazopiga kwenye (2:00) zinafanana kabisaa na zile Saxa walipiga Vijana Jazz kwenye wimbo mmoja ambao Marehemu Maneti anaimba "Wana CCM wote, sasa tufungue macho, kwani jama kikulacho, mbona kinguoni mwako......" na mbele kidogo zinapigwa Saxa hizo kabisa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bnCqxAYf1s

Huyu mama Mpongo Love kulikuwa na tetesi kuwa alikuwa nyumba ndogo ya Mobutu. Ila kuna video moja kwenye youtube, Mwalimu Mzee Fulangenge Papa Shungu Wemba akionyesha umahiri wake wa kutongoza mwanamke LIVE kwenye TV. Anyway, Ndaya ulikuwa umetulia.

Nadhani kuwa Mpongo Love alikuwa na ulemavu fulani wa mguu ingawa sina uhakika kwa vile sijkuwahi kumwona jukwaani- alifariki mwaka 1990. Nakumbuka kuwa mwaka 78 wakati alipotoa wimbo huo wa Ndaya, tetesi zilizovuma pale Tabora (mtaa wa Rufita) ni kuwa yule dada alikuwa mzuri sana ila alikuwa na ulemavu wa miguu kwa hiyo alikuwa hawezi kucheza ndiyo maana alikuwa akiimba nyimbo za mwendo wa polepole tu. Ingawa sina uhakika lakini simaini kuwa wimbo huo wa Ndaya ulitungwa na Mayaula Mayoni kwa vile wimbo huo ulitoka mwaka 1978 kipindi ambacho nadhani Mayaula Mayoni alikuwa mwanafunzi chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam akisomea Economics, na vile vile akiwa anaichezea timu kongwe ya mpira wa miguu ya Yanga pale jangwani.

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

Kichuguu said:
Nadhani kuwa Mpongo Love alikuwa na ulemavu fulani wa mguu ingawa sina uhakika kwa vile sijkuwahi kumwona jukwaani- alifariki mwaka 1990. Nakumbuka kuwa mwaka 78 wakati alipotoa wimbo huo wa Ndaya, tetesi zilizovuma pale Tabora (mtaa wa Rufita) ni kuwa yule dada alikuwa mzuri sana ila alikuwa na ulemavu wa miguu kwa hiyo alikuwa hawezi kucheza ndiyo maana alikuwa akiimba nyimbo za mwendo wa polepole tu. Ingawa sina uhakika lakini simaini kuwa wimbo huo wa Ndaya ulitungwa na Mayaula Mayoni kwa vile wimbo huo ulitoka mwaka 1978 kipindi ambacho nadhani Mayaula Mayoni alikuwa mwanafunzi chuo kikuu cha Dar es Salaam akisomea Economics, na vile vile akiwa anaichezea timu kongwe ya mpira wa miguu ya Yanga pale jangwani.

Huyu mama ni kweli alikuwa akichechemea. Ila huwa nawachanganya na Abeti Masikini (nitakula wali, wali kwa Nsombe). Juu ya wimbo nina uhakika kabisa kuwa ni yeye alitunga. Ukiangalia WWW zote zinaonyesha au wameimba pamoja au mtungaji ni yeye. Mayoni kama sikosei alipita hata kwenye Mikono ya Franco kwa muda mfupi.

Hapa kuna Historia nzima ya hii Album ya Mpongo Love. Ila sikuwa nafahamu kuwa jamaa alisomea UDSM. Wacongo wote wanasema msomi wa uchumi ni Koffi Olomide peke yake kumbe wako wengi.....

LAfrique danse avec MPongo Love African 360.102 1977 - LP

A: Ndaya (Mayaula Mayoni) - Kapwepwe - Ede - Marketing International
B: Pas Possible Mati - Bileli (Empompo Loway) - Montayo (Empompo Loway) Bungana (all others M'Pongo Love)

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

Hapa naona Mzee James Cameron (mzee wa Titanic) na yeye aliiga hii na ametengeneza hii picha hapa chini. Ukiiona utaelewa ninasema nini.............

Sikonge · Dec 28, 2009

Field Marshall ES said:
Tabora Jazz Band - old school favorite

The Tabora Jazz Band was one of Tanzanian pop's seminal bands. According to Wikipedia, they were one of the key bands that developed the Tanzanian pop sound I really love called "Muziki was dansi", which came from Congolese/Rumba and Sokous sounds. Unfortunately the quality of this cassette, which is probably from before the 70s, is not super good. Still, the standout track here is Mariam Mpenzi. Particularly the latter part of the track in the breakdown is fantastic. I'd so love to find a better recorded version of this.

Dada Hawa, Tabora Jazz Band

FMEs!

Miaka hiyo mambo yote yalikuwa hapa. Picha nilipiga mwenyewe nikiwa nimepanda Baiskeli. Ndiyo maana haijakaa sawa sawa.

Kichuguu · Dec 28, 2009

Sikonge said:
Miaka hiyo mambo yote yalikuwa hapa. Picha nilipiga mwenyewe nikiwa nimepanda Baiskeli. Ndiyo maana haijakaa sawa sawa.

Uwanja wa nyumbani

Zakumi · Dec 28, 2009

Sanaa na ujamaa uwa havipatani. Wanamuziki wetu wamepoteza haki miliki zao ambazo zingewasaidia katika maisha yao ya uzeeni na watoto wao.

Kichuguu · Dec 28, 2009

Field Marshall ES said:
Mohammed Issa Matona
Mohammed Issa Matona is a Tanzanian cultural icon from the island of Zanzibar whose music is celebrated the world over and todays track, Msumeno is probably the best known piece of music thanks to its inclusion in the 2005 CD Rough Guide to the music of Tanzania and the 2005 CD Rough Guide: World Party. And the tone of the music, as I am sure you have guessed by now, is wait for it mellow.

Since many of you have heard this track though, I will throw a twist into the mix with a track from 30 years before Msumeno, the 1975 track Mzigo from Issa Muhamad - whom almost certainly is not Issa Matona the Senior but my research was not able to come up with any conclusive evidence one way or the other.

Mkuu FMES

Katika picha hizi sioni sura ya Mzee Issa Matona, inawezekana huyo ni mtoto wake lakini siyo yule wa KIMASOMASO ninayemfahamu,.

Phillemon Mikael · Dec 28, 2009

Field Marshall ES said:
Vijana Jazz Band

Nilitaka Iwe Siri: Vijana Jazz Band. <NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT><SCRIPT language=Javascript> var imageViewerTagDiv = '

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- Hii ni bendi ya Vijana Jazz, iliyokuwa bendi ya umoja wa vijana wa Tanu na baadaye CCM, ilianzishwa na Mzee John Ondolo, baadaye ikaja kuwika sana na kiongozi wake Hemedi Maneti "Chiriku", pamoja na mpiga solo wake maarufu sana Hamza Kalala "Komandoo".

- Vijana Jazz waliwahi kupiga vibao maarufu sana enzi hizo kama "Kuruka Ukuta", "Zuhura", "Salima", "Chiku", "Operation Maduka" na zinginezo kama "Amba Baharia". Mungu amuweke pahali pema peponi marehemu Maneti.

Respect.

FMEs!

Baada ya maneti aliwika JERRY NASHON [Dudumizi]....kuna wimbo unaitwa TOP QUEEN MOROCCO=..baada ya jerry kufariki its like band ilikufa...

napenda nyimbo za ukombozi za vijana...kama , ukombozi wa msumbiji,[wembe ni ule ule mamaa ..ulee ulee]
au ule wa UCHAGUZI CCM [ hatutaki viongozi wenye mbin kama za panya ,wa kughata na kupuliza chamaa.....tunataka viongozi wa kulinda masilahi yetu ..chachamaa...tulipotoka mbali na tuendako mbali sana ccm wana ccm chachamaa]-Vita dhidi ya ufisadi na viongozi wabovu haikuanza leo wazee......nashangaa katika tukio kama hili bendi za chama zimeshindwa kutoa wimbo wa kuunga mkono hili..kama kina maneti walivokuwa wakifanya!!

Phillemon Mikael · Dec 28, 2009

<LI class=g>[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Remmy-Ongala/e/B000AQ0ABI"]Amazon.com: Remmy Ongala: [/ame]

Visit Amazon.com's Remmy Ongala Store to shop for Remmy Ongala albums (CD, MP3, Vinyl) and other Remmy Ongala-related products (DVD, books, apparel).
<CITE>www.amazon.com/Remmy-Ongala/e/B000AQ0ABI - </CITE>Cached - [ame="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:www.amazon.com/Remmy-Ongala/e/B000AQ0ABI+remmy+ongala&sa=X&ei=CUo4S5vhJYuz4Qag9vypCA&ved=0CA4QHzAC"]Similar[/ame]
<LI class=g>

Remmy Ongala ni kati ya wanamuziki wachache au wa kwanza Tanzania ambaye unaweza kununua kazi zake online.....ina maana basi ni kati ya wanamuziki wachache ambao hadi sasa wanapata mgawo kimataifa wa mauzo ya kazi zao ....na hata familia yake itaendelea kunufaika.....

Picha juu ni remmy katika matukio mbalimbali..hadi kufikia kuugua na kuamua kuokoka na kunyoa nywele zake za rasta!!!

Phillemon Mikael · Dec 28, 2009

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 580px"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=center>Black Biography: Remmy Ongala </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE class=AFCAd><TBODY><TR><TD onmouseover="return setStatus('Scientology.org');" onclick="_hbLink('G_AFC','BL_0');gotoURL('http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=l&ai=BK8UoP0w4S6vbAeW6jQfro6C_Ao_jq8IBpeWUxw-L3eP3CODUAxABGAEgtpiGAygDOABQv4HJ1QJgwwagAYHa1_EDsgEPd3d3LmFuc3dlcnMuY29tyAEB2gEraHR0cDovL3d3dy5hbnN3ZXJzLmNvbS90b3BpYy9yZW1teS1vbmdhbGEtMYACAcACAcgC34eLEKgDAegDI-gDxwToA8ME9QMABACE&num=1&sig=AGiWqtytWK20j-UGWCm3XP2RKfdgDW92gw&client=ca-gurunet_js&adurl=http://www.scientology.org/%3Fsource%3Dga');" onmouseout=clearStatus();>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Born Ramadhani Mtoro Ongala, 1947, in the Kivu region of Belgian Congo (now Zaire); married, with three children.
Politics: Populist.

Career
Itinerant guitarist and singer, touring throughout Eastern Zaire and Uganda, 1964-78; member of Orchestra Makassy, 1978-81; leader of Orchestre Super Matimila, 1981--; participated in World of Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD) tours, 1988-89; released albums on England's Real World label, 1989-90. Has made frequent tours of Africa and Europe, 1988--.
Life's Work
American children dream of becoming pop musicians because of the glamorous lifestyle that accompanies pop stardom in the United States. For Remmy Ongala, who grew up in Zaire and lives in Tanzania, music was a constant, completely woven into his everyday life. Becoming a musician was as natural for him as a career in agriculture would be to somebody who grew up in a remote farming village. In his song "Lolango," Ongala articulated his reasons for being a musician: "What is my work? My work is to sing! I live so I can sing, I eat because I sing. Everything in life is because I sing."
Performing mainly in a country where recording facilities are scarce, copyright laws are nonexistent, and music is played in small clubs rather than gigantic sports arenas, Ongala has managed to gain an international following. Many of his songs deal directly with the subjects of urban poverty, unemployment, and death. Nevertheless, his message of hope for the underdog in the face of oppression seems to strike a chord with listeners of diverse backgrounds. Although he sings primarily in Swahili, the passion with which Ongala presents his case transcends barriers of language.
Ongala was born in 1947, in the Kivu region of eastern Zaire, which at that time was known as Belgian Congo. His family lived at Kindu, not far from the Tanzanian border. Shortly after Remmy was born, they relocated to Kisangani, about 250 miles to the north. In these areas, as in much of Africa, music permeated just about every facet of life, and Ongala was immersed in it from birth. His father was a talented musician, regionally well-known as a hand drum and mbira player. The mbira, a hollowed piece of wood or gourd bearing wooden or metal strips that vibrate when plucked, is one of the variety of instruments Ongala began learning from his father at a very early age.
Gary Stewart, in his book Breakout, retold Ongala's own account of the uncommon circumstances surrounding the musician's birth. According to Stewart, Ongala's mother had been pregnant twice before, and both times the child had died. As a last hope, she turned to one of the local traditional doctors for advice. He told her not to go to the hospital next time she was pregnant; instead, the baby was born in the forest with the help of the healer. He then warned her never to cut the child's hair, a vow that she kept for the remainder of her life.
As a youth, Ongala was ashamed of his shaggy hair. But later, when reggae star Bob Marley's image became visible in Zaire, the locks became a source of pride. Remmy was also born with two front teeth intact, thought to be a sign that he himself could become a healer. Although he elected not to pursue that career path, "The Doctor" did eventually become Ongala's nickname among fans in Zaire and Tanzania.
When Ongala was only six years old, his father died. Since his mother could not pay for school, Ongala was forced to quit. By the early 1960s, Ongala was teaching himself to play guitar. When his mother died in 1964, he became the head of the family, responsible for the care of his younger siblings. With no other job options available, Ongala began eking out a living playing music. His guitar playing improved quickly, and soon he was able to get frequent jobs playing at area hotels. For the next dozen years, he toured throughout eastern Zaire and Uganda, playing guitar and drums with a number of bands from the region, including Succ s Muachana and Grand Mickey Jazz.
While he was teaching himself to play guitar, and as he developed his own style during the early part of his career, Ongala was greatly influenced by the new urban Congo style of music that was becoming popular in the early 1960s. Cuban music was also being played widely in eastern Africa at that time. Ongala cites as his major influences from that period the singing of Joseph Kabasele and the laid-back rumba guitar stylings of an artist known simply as Franco.
In 1978 Ongala was summoned by an uncle to Dar-es-Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, to join Orchestra Makassy, a popular band led by Mzee Makassy, who was also originally from Zaire. While a member of that group, Ongala wrote his first hit song, "Sika Ya Kufa (The Day I Die)," honoring a friend who had passed away. Ongala's tenure with Orchestra Makassy lasted about three years. He then left to join Orchestre Super Matimila, another up-and-coming Tanzanian group.
Matimila, whose name came from that of a small village nearby, became a fixture on the bustling Dar-es-Salaam club music scene, and Ongala quickly emerged as the group's leader. The band had as many as 18 members, although usually only six or eight would appear on stage at any given moment of performance because club gigs in Tanzania can last as long as six hours. The casual atmosphere allowed the musicians to rotate in and out freely, usually including two guitars, a bass, a standard drum kit, other African percussion instruments, and a saxophone. Just about everybody sang.
Over the next decade, Ongala became one of Tanzania's most prolific songwriters. He generally left the love songs to others, concentrating instead on writing lyrics that addressed social concerns. Even after achieving a reasonably comfortable standard of living for himself, Ongala continued to champion the poor in his songs. He dubbed the style of his material ubongo, which roughly means "brain music" in Swahili.
Essentially no recording industry exists in Tanzania, and therefore, no mechanism is in place for the collection of royalties; likewise, musicians' unions and copyright laws are not available. Local musicians are almost completely reliant on live performances for their income, and while the music scene in and around Dar-es-Salaam is certainly vibrant, the competition among bands is fierce. As Matimila gained attention, the group started recording some of its songs for Radio Tanzania, but this did not translate into big money as airplay in the West generally does.
The introduction of Ongala's music to a European audience began in simple fashion. In the late 1980s, Ongala gave a tape of his band to a British friend who was about to return to England. The tape was eventually passed along to members of World of Music, Arts, and Dance (WOMAD), an organization that promotes Third World performers. The people at WOMAD were so impressed by the material that Ongala and company were invited to take part in the 1988 WOMAD tour.
Western audiences appreciated Ongala's danceable music immediately. Back in Tanzania, however, his European debut was not universally praised. One member of the press, Omar Bawazir, was especially harsh. Writing in Uhuru, he criticized the band for performing with "naked and rounded stomachs" rather than in normal Western garb, fueling the Western press's biased ideas about Third World underdevelopment.
Matimila's warm European reception led WOMAD to release a collection of Ongala's best Tanzanian radio recordings from the early 1980s. The resulting album, entitled Nalilia Mwana, featured an array of songs dealing with the politics of poverty. Included were such titles as "Ndumila Kuwila (Don't Speak With Two Mouths)," and "Mnyonge Hana Haki (The Poor Have No Rights)."
Reviews for Ongala's European debuts, both live and recorded, were almost unanimously stellar, leading WOMAD to invite the group along on its 1989 tour as well. Matimila was also invited to record in a well-equipped Western studio for the first time. The resulting product, Songs for the Poor Man, was recorded at British rock star Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, and released on the WOMAD-affiliated Real World label. Again, the album was packed with songs written from the perspective of the downtrodden.
Songs for the Poor Man included "Kipenda Roho," an anti-racism anthem that proclaims the universality of love. This was a theme especially close to Ongala's heart, since he had married and had had three children with a white Englishwoman by this time. Although most of the songs on the album had somber topics, the music itself was uplifting. With his newfound access to sophisticated recording equipment, Ongala was able to produce a cleaner sound without sacrificing the authenticity of his musical roots.
In 1990, Ongala and Super Matimila released a second British recording on Real World. Again drawing on the traditional soukous and rumba traditions of his homeland, Ongala produced Mambo, another collection of songs about social and political injustice. Mambo translates loosely from Swahili as "things," in the sense of comments or concerns. In an effort to involve his growing international audience with the meanings of his songs rather than just their infectious pulsations, Ongala sang several songs in English on Mambo. Once again, the most prevalent theme found on the album is poverty. Among the song titles on Mambo are "No Money, No Life," and "One World."
Meanwhile, Ongala's popularity at home in Tanzania continued to soar as well, although the element of protest in much of his material did not always endear him to government officials. Ongala created a controversy in 1990 by releasing a song called "Mambo Kwa Socks (Things With Socks)," a reference to Tanzanian slang for condoms. The song was a plea to young African men to help slow the spread of AIDS by practicing safe sex.
In general, musicians are not held in high esteem in Tanzania. Often they are portrayed in the press as vagabonds and drug addicts. Among the common people, however, whose cause his entire body of work celebrates, Remmy Ongala is well on his way to attaining folk-hero status. A bus stop in the Sinza district of Dar-es-Salaam, for example, has been renamed Sinza kwa Remmy. Even as his audience grows to include many who are neither poor nor oppressed, Ongala's message speaks loudest to people who are more accustomed to crowded buses than to comfortable sedans.
Works

Selective Discography

Nalilia Mwana, WOMAD, 1988.
On Stage with Remmy Ongala, AHADI, 1988.
Songs for the Poor Man, Real World, 1989.
Mambo, Real World, 1990.

FMES: Tuwakumbuke Wanamichezo Africa!

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