Arusha — Tanzanian songstress Nakaaya has been making a splash on the East African music scene of late. Her remake of the classic “Malaika” and her controversial yet honest criticism of corrupt politicians in “Mr. Politician” have been creating a lot of buzz around the hot new artist.*
I caught up with Nakaaya at her home in Arusha, Tanzania and found there is much more to this young, new artist than I thought. Her interest in music began at a young age. Raised in a middle-class East African family, she was expected to concentrate on a future in college, but her love of music set her on a different path.
In 2005, at the age of 24, Nakaaya entered the reality television show, Tusker Project Fame. Though she did not win, this was her introduction to the audiences of East Africa.
Soon after Project Fame, Nakaaya went on to release “Malaika”, followed by “Mr. Politician”. She describes her style as “Afro Beat”, saying its both modern and African. But Nakaaya is much more complex than that.
Her style and her music are a mix of contemporary Africa, but her music is also more politically and socially relevant than that of most young contemporary African artists. She is one of the few young artists in East Africa to sing boldly about issues that are taboo.
Nakaaya also exudes a distinctly hip hop/R&B style. Her debut CD features songs performed in both English and Swahili, dealing with everything from relationship trouble to women’s body images and politics in Africa.
Aside from music, Nakaaya also volunteers at the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in Arusha. The UAACC, which provides free classes to area children, was founded by Pete and Charlotte O’Neal, former Black Panthers from the United States who moved to Tanzania more than 30 years ago. Nakaaya says the O’Neals have been like parents to her and she has learned much about social and political struggles from them. The UAACC is a huge part of her life and has been a big influence on her and her music.
In our interview Nakaaya discusses the importance of empowering women and forwarding their causes. She is working with both the UAACC and a Danish organization to launch a women’s empowerment campaign that will educate young girls in Tanzania.
In her song “Shame,” Nakaaya talks to young women about the distorted body images many painfully try to achieve. She warns young women about looking to Western images of beauty as models and encourages them to be proud of who they are.
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In “Nyimbo Za Uhuru” (Freedom Song), Nakaaya reflects on Africa’s emergence from colonialism, reminding Africans of their struggle for independence and calling for them once again to speak out against corruption and the problems Africa faces.
It is her song “Mr. Politician” that has garnered Nakaaya the most attention. The song is critical of corrupt politicians and points the finger at politicians who make empty promises. Nakaaya says that many, including several radio deejays, have thought the song too controversial and some politicians have been offended by the lyrics, but average Tanzanians have congratulated her on it.
The song features a cameo by American rapper M1 of the group Dead Prez, who came to Tanzania to take part in filming a documentary on hip hop in Tanzania and Kenya and agreed to contribute a verse. Though M1 left Tanzania before the video was shot, the presence of one of America’s most political hip hop artists adds to the message of the song.
Nakaaya writes her own music and says that her debut CD reflects her life struggles. With few collaborations, the CD reflects much of her own personality. Her talents as an artist and the guidance she continues to both give and receive at the UAACC are helping to mold her into potentially one of the most important voices in East African music.
*Both “Malaika” and “Mr. Politician” can be found on Nakaaya’s 2008 debut release “Nervous Conditions.” The videos for these songs can be found on YouTube.
