IJu and the Band

Iju (born Ian Jumbe Mwaisunga) is a singer and songwriter from Tanzania. He grew up in Dar es Salaam’s Keko block C, housing designated for the national arts troupe of Tanzania where his mother was a professional acrobat. From as young as 7, she took Ian to all the big music concerts that came to town and he inherited a love of Taarab, African Rumba and Traditional Tanzanian melodies and rhythms from her music collection.

Ian bought his first guitar with money earned from playing football. Strings were often hard to come by, so he used to unravel wiring from motorbike breaks and use that instead. Then came a 3-year training in drama, music and dance at the Bagamoyo Art school that allowed Ian to forge his own distinct music identity.

Co-founder of Dar es Salaam’s most popular reggae band ‘Machifu’ , Ian went on to be selected for the prestigious East Africa Tusker Project Fame music competition where he became a finalist in the house. Waswahili was the second band he co-created before starting his solo career in 2016.

His first solo album entitled ‘Usikate tamaa’ will be launched in 2021. The sensitive and emotional lyrics portray positive images of East Africa and explore the themes of personal loss, relationships, and politics alongside messages of hope for youth.

The heart beat, the sun, the earth, the ocean, the birds …Ian believes that all nature has timing and rhythm making music intrinsic to our souls.