Study ranks top Tanzanian musicians in Kenya

Research 8020 collected data between 21 and 31 March 2019 from professional DJs and radio presenters at urban stations. The company also used YouTube views as a yardstick for artists' popularity.

Diamond Platnumz and Harmonize are ranked first and second, respectively, in terms of YouTube views and radio airplay. The report also categorises artists according to platinum, gold and silver tiers, which represent 100-plus million, 10-99 million and 1-9 million online views respectively.

“Diamond is the most popular musician in Eastern Africa having a significant lead over other musicians in the region," the report says. "The only other musician who comes close to Diamond’s popularity is Harmonize – these two are the only platinum-rated artists in the region only rivalled by their counterparts from Nigeria."

Singer Nandy was the only female musician who appeared on the list at No 10. The biggest revelation is the ranking of Tanzanian boy band Yamato at No 8, three years after its disbandment. Two of the band's four members, Mbosso and Aslay, were featured on the list at No 5 and 6 respectively.

“Mbosso has been rising steadily to beat all other former band members including one of the most vocal members, Aslay,” the report says.

The report also ranks the most popular songs by Tanzanian musicians, with Diamond Platnumz's 'Nana' and Harmonize's 'Kwangaru' leading a list of 50 artists.

“We realised there was a gap where there was no scientific data about the ranking and popularity of various artists available either in the public and private domain," Research 8020 marketing associate Esther Wakarima told Music In Africa. "This data is designed to help artists, as well as managers, promoters or even marketers, benchmark how the industry is performing and make more informed decisions.”

The report also looks at record labels as agents of success. “Wasafi is a force to reckon [with] in the Tanzanian music scene," it says about the Diamond Platnumz-owned label. "This is because, out of all the top 10 musicians, seven are signed to Wasafi WCB [Wasafi Classic Baby]. The record label is destined to grow significantly."

The report goes on to say that as much as bongo flava is thriving in the Kenyan music industry, gospel is on a decline in Tanzania. It also makes a dubious correlation as to why interest in gospel is waning.  

“Secular musicians dominate the Tanzanian music scene unlike in Kenya where half of the top 10 musicians are gospel artists – this implies that the Christian values in the country are under threat.”

Download Research 8020's Celebrity Watch Report below: