New documentary on Tanzania's high-speed electronic sound singeli launches fundraiser

A new documentary on the Tanzanian high-tempo electronic music sound of singeli is in the works.

‘Singeli Movement: Greed For Speed’ is a project from director Jan Moszumański and Ugandan label Nyege Nyege Tapes. It focuses on the artists of Sisso Studio and Pamoja Records, two key production houses of Singeli music, and connects the genre’s birth and emergence with the economic change that Tanzania underwent after 1999.

Among the singeli artists featured in the film are Makaveli, Bampa Bana, MCZO, Duke, Rahema Tajiri, Jay Mitta, MC Kadilida, MC Antivirus, DJ Longo, Chief Baker, Muchizo, Kashiwash, Yakubu and more – many of them have had worked feature on Nyege Nyege Tapes’ compilations in recent years presenting the music of Sisso Studio and Pamoja Records.

A crowdfunding page has been set up to help fund the final stages of the film, which is currently in post-production. The film’s makers are seeking €8,000 to finish it, to cover costs associated with sound editing and mixing, production of original typography, licenses and remuneration for interviewees.

You can support the crowdfunding project here, and watch a trailer for the film below.

News of the project follows the release last year via NTS of a mini-film about singeli music.