[9] Bongo Flava is a large divergent evolution of muziki wa kizazi kipya, meaning "music of the new generations", which originated in the middleclass youth of Kinondoni District, in Dar es Salaam between the mid-1980s and 1990s.

[10] Taji Liundi, also known as Master T, the original creator and producer of the Dj Show program had already started airing songs by fledgling local artists by late 1994.

Its members were Othman Njaidi, Eliudi Pemba, Columba Mwingira, Sindila Assey, Angela, Robert Chuwa, Boniface Kilosa (a.k.a.

[14] Bongo Flava popular artists include Bruce Africa, Mr Lion Victor Baraka The Prince, Young Lunya, Vanillah, Abdu Kiba, Maua Sama, Kinata Mc, Kidene Fighter, Gigy Money, Appy, Harmorapa, Yummy, Vanessa Mdee (Vee Money),[15] Bill Nass, Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, Jux, Alikiba, A.Y., Jaivah, Shetta, Ben Pol, Lava Lava, Dully Sykes, Rich Mavoko, Jay Moe, Juma Nature, Rayvanny, Nandy, Fid Q, Marioo, Mavokali, Zuchu, Mwana FA, Shilole, Jay Melody, Mbosso, Mimi Mars, Queen Darleen, Phina, Dogo Janja, Cherry, Kusah, Joh Makini, Country Wizzy and more.

[17] Diamond Platnumz, Ali Kiba, Rayvanny, Marioo, Country Wizzy, Kusah, Rich Mavoko, Nandy, Phina, Ben Pol are few of Tanzanian artists that have performed on the Fiesta stage.

Chidi Benz, Makomando, Izzo Bizness, Bob Junior and Kayumba are some of the Bongo Flava stars that have performed on the Mziki Mnene stage.

[28] Outside of its historical home of Tanzania, Bongo Flava has become a resoundingly popular sound in neighboring, culturally related countries such as Kenya[29] and Uganda.

However, there are instances of 'success stories', the career of artist Diamond Platnumz, and producer-artist Nahreel are often cited as sources of inspiration for many artists and producers [32][33] Bongo Flava started to make waves across Africa in major markets such as Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa around 2014 when Diamond Platnumz released his smash hit My Number One and its accompanying remix featuring Nigerian star, Davido.

[34] It was also around that time that different African based music channels began to give heavy rotation to Bongo Flava songs rom different heavyweights such as Diamond Platnumz, Vanessa Mdee, Joh Makini, Navy Kenzo and more.

Diamond Platnumz, for example, has worked with different heavyweight superstars such as KCEE, Rema, Chike, Koffi Olomide, Adekunle Gold, Omarion, Morgan Heritage and more.

The sound "has its roots in the rap, R&B and hip hop coming from America, but from the beginning, these styles have been pulled apart and put back together with African hands".

However, this has changed in recent years and increasingly many commercial Bongo Flava songs deal with topics such as love, heartbreak, success and hardship.

Key figures of bongopiano include Diamond Platnumz, Alikiba, Natasha, Pride Boy 4Real, Marioo, Harmonize, Nandy, Jux, Mbosso and Zuchu.