Joseph Mbilinyi (born 1 May 1972), known for his stage names Mr. II, Sugu and 2-proud, is a Tanzanian politician, human rights activist and rapper.
Mr. II is the African Great Lakes region's most popular Bongo Flava icon, and through this genre he was able to make a difference and create opportunities for the youth.
Performing in Swahili, Sugu addresses social issues that plague both urban and rural peoples in the African Great Lakes region.
[4] Examples of his politically charged music is apparent in the songs Hali Halisi,[1] (real situation) in which he depicts the struggles of street life, and the oppressive conditions of the government, prisons, and judicial system.
He is the primary organiser of the annual Tanzania Hip-Hop Summit, a yearly convention of the African Great Lakes region's most prominent and up-and-coming music stakeholders.
Sugu is one of the most recognisable artists in the regional Hip-hop scene, has won numerous Pan-African music awards and has performed at a number of international festivals.