Bien calls out Tanzania over lack of support for Kenyan musicians [Photo: Courtesy]
Kenyan singer Bien-Aimé Baraza has called on Tanzanian fans and media houses to give Kenyan musicians more support, saying Tanzanian Bongo Flava artistes enjoy greater recognition in Kenya than Kenyan artistes receive in Tanzania.
Bien made the appeal shortly after arriving in Tanzania ahead of a performance, noting that Kenyan audiences have embraced Tanzanian music while many Kenyan singers remain relatively unknown across the border.
“Wasanii wa Bongo hata sidhani kuna pahali mnasikizwa zaidi ya Kenya… wanawapenda huko sana,” Bien said in Kiswahili.
“Yaani, mziki wa Tanzania unapokelewa Kenya vizuri sana. Kwa hivyo ningewaomba pia nyie wa Tanzania mtupokee vivyo hivyo,” he added, urging Tanzanians to extend the same reception to Kenyan music.
Bien specifically challenged Tanzanian journalists, radio presenters and media houses to seek out Kenyan talent while still upcoming.
“Maana yake kuna wasanii wa Kenya ambao wanaimba na hamuwatambui bado. Kwa hivyo fanyeni research kidogo kama media hivi, mtu-support pia sisi tunavyowasupport nyinyi,” he said.
Currently, musicians such as Diamond Platnumz, Alikiba, Mbosso and Harmonize have built substantial followings in Kenya, while relatively few Kenyan artistes enjoy comparable recognition in Tanzania.
His appeal comes amid the strong performance of Tanzanian music in Kenya.
Industry figures cited in reports indicate that Kenyan audiences generated more than 1.225 billion YouTube views for Bongo Flava songs in 2025.
Streaming figures for the year also highlighted the popularity of Tanzanian artistes in Kenya, with Jux recording 55 million views, Alikiba 54.7 million, D Voice 40.4 million, Darassa 30.9 million, Nandy 28.8 million and Ibraah 20 million.
Bien has also benefited from cross-border collaborations. In March 2026, he teamed up with Alikiba on the song “Finale”, whose official music video debuted at number two on YouTube’s trending chart and attracted more than 769,229 views in less than 20 hours.
He has also worked with Diamond Platnumz on “Katam”, another collaboration that brought together artists from the two countries.