Bongo Flava On The BBC

On Sat 15 October, the BBC World Service programme: Global Beats takes a journey into Tanzanian hip hop. Tracing the music’s transformation into Bongo Flava, which incorporates hip hop, Indian filmi, taraab, muzik wa dansi, dancehall beats and its latest development into Singeli.

Presenter Salim Kikeke talks to pioneers of the genre Dully Sykes and producer P Funk from Bongo Records, as well as prominent and upcoming artists including Fid Q and Vanessa Mdee.

The term Bongo Flava is derived from the Swahili word "ubongo", meaning brains. The genre has fans way beyond Tanzania, with the most popular artists performing in South Africa, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, as well as Europe and America. The self-proclaimed "best internet station for Bongo Flava", Bongo Radio, happens to be based in Chicago, Illinois.

The programme can be heard on the BBC World Service at 1300-1400GMT on Sat 15 Oct or online here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01yvy2g.