- Tell us a little about yourself & your background.
My name is Swahili Ally and I’m a traditional musician from Tanzania. I sing, write music and play an African instrument called the kora. I grew up in a musical family in which my grandmother used to sing and play, and that was my inspiration from the family.
- Other than your family which musical influences did you have?
The Digo area is a place where music is part of the culture, whenever the event happens in the village, there has to be ngoma to which people play and sing some Digo music. This influenced me greatly.
- What led to you taking up an instrument? Which was your first instrument of choice? Which ones do you play?
After realizing that all I wanted to do was music, I joined different artiste groups and collectives in which I found fellow musicians and exposed what was in me. The influences from the different bands led me to pick up an instrument. My first instrument of choice was a guitar but now I specialize in ngoma and the kora.
- The kora is said to belong exclusively to griot families in West Africa, and the skill is passed down from father to son. How did you eventually start playing the kora? How did you then marry Digo culture with the West African instrument?
It’s true that the kora is from West Africa. However, my first encounter with the instrument was in Zanzibar in 2012-I took part in the Jazz festival and met a kora player during the soundcheck before the show. That was my first experience on a kora, and the sound was extremely amazing on my ears, and I swore to myself that I would learn how to play it. Then again in Zanzibar much later, I got an opportunity to meet a teacher from Gambia who was there as a volunteer and he taught me how to play the kora. After I learnt the skill, I took it and fused it with my own music. I took my lyrics and rhythms and played them on it, which is how I fused the kora with my Digo heritage.
- Which Kora player has inspired you?
Sekou Kouyate from Guinea.
- Does your music have a specific message that you want to pass on? If so what is it?
My music has different messages. There are some songs which talk about love, and some are warnings, and others dwell on education in and of the society, others are basic stories and teachings about life.
- You’ve played with several musicians from all over the world. Is there a specific artist you loved working with & why?
Yes, I played with a lot of musicians from different countries and I really loved playing the guys from home (Tanzania) especially Lumumba Theatre Band. It’s because they are naturally from the same culture I come from and it’s inspiring and fruitful for the interpretation of my songs. I would love to continue working with them in future.
- What do you think has been your best work/performance?
My best work and performance was the I one did in Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar. It was huge!
- How do Kenyans receive your music? Which Kenyan artist would you like to perform with?
According to the two shows I have done at Alliance Française, the Kenyan crowd seems to be very interested in my music. They even tried to sing along, and gave me a very very positive response. Thank you for that Kenya! In Kenya, I would love to perform with Winyo.
- Is there anyone in particular you’ve heard recently who inspires you and contributes to the music in a way that could be seen as a force to be reckoned with?
There are lot of people that I appreciate: like Sarabi Band in Kenya, Ze Spirit Band and Kokodo Band from Tanzania. Isaack Abeneko is another name of note, although I cannot list all their names as there are many more artists and bands I can see are doing a good job.
- Any album in the works?
Yes, I already have one out which is called Mwanamuranda. It can be found on iTunes, Amazon and SoundCloud.
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/swahilially/mwanamuranda
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mwanamuranda-ep/id1117244234
- Any final words (to the fans?)
To my fans, am very thankful for the response on my music because I actually didn’t expect such a huge response from Kenyans. I would love to be more in contact with them through my Facebook page as Swahili Ally: Digo and on Instagram as Swahili_Ally. Also check out my videos on YouTube as Swahili Ally.
Swahili Ally hopes that his new album will help promote traditional music, which struggles to be heard amid the influx of urban sounds. He is currently touring East Africa sharing his musical message. Catch Swahili Addy at Thursday Nite Live at Choices in Nairobi, Kenya on the 7th of July.
