On the last day of May, we'll come together again for "Zhaodai on Leave," the annual electronic music festival by the northern seaside. No matter the distance, whether by plane or car, the moment you close your door and set off, you've already begun this three-day, three-night musical journey.
BAIHUI and Zhaodai present the "Zhaodai on Leave 2024" special, using music to connect departure, arrival, return, and memories, capturing the emotions of each moment of the journey to extend and amplify the joy.
As we set off, we've invited Zhaodai DJs Rehema Tajiri & Queen Asher and DJ Wife, along with the stage design and sound teams, to share a series of playlists perfect for the trip to Aranya.
In the first episode, we spoke with the headlining artists of this year's Zhaodai, the Singeli music duo Rehema Tajiri and Queen Asher from Dar es Salaam. They shared five songs they enjoy listening to during their international flights.
In Dar es-Salaam, a bustling metropolis situated at the crossroads of Arab, Indian, and African history and traditions, a unique musical style—Singeli—was born. At a tempo of 180-300 BPM, it skillfully blends elements of traditional Taarab music with Zaramo loops, showcasing its distinctive style.
From this ever-expanding and thriving Singeli scene, a unique mother-daughter duo emerged: Rehema Tajiri and Queen Asher. Rehema Tajiri’s music career spans over 20 years. She first made her mark as a singer and dancer in Tanzania’s Congolese rumba scene before joining Sisso Studios, bringing a female force to Singeli. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Queen Asher became a female Singeli DJ and producer, forming their unique “emotional bond” duo. On stage, they are each other’s singer and DJ; off stage, they are not only mother and daughter but also close friends.
Now, let's begin this conversation and explore their musical journey, creative inspirations, and expectations for this performance.
“My name Rehema Tajiri! First of all, I love my job, it's my life. I love music since I was in school, I worked two jobs, singing and dancing and playing football while I was in school, I loved them all. later I fell in love with music! I was married until after I got out of marriage I continued with music.”
BAIHUI：Hi Rehema Tajiri ! We're thrilled to have this chance to talk with you. You're about to perform in China for the first time. How are you feeling about it, and what are your expectations?
Rehema Tajiri ：
I am very happy to find a job in China! It's a country that I loved very much since I was little, listening to Jack Chen in the movie. Rehema Tajiri for the first time to go to China, I am very happy! and you will be very happy because Rehema Tajiri is a master mc of singeli Tanzania. I expect fire on the dancefloor and Chinese people to shake their bodies very hard.
BAIHUI：I've noticed that Singeli music has brought people together within the Sisso Records family, with many young artists joining in. Speaking of young artists, I saw a cute Chinese comment from DJ Travella on your social media: "Working in China is so cool." What spirit keeps you united and drives you to promote Singeli music from the Mburahti community to the world?
Rehema Tajiri ：
China is a beautiful country that has been friends with Tanzania for a long time! China is the biggest businessmen in the world, I like them because they are very loving! my great joy! I thank the company of Nyegengyege for believing in me all the time and all of us in Mburahati and Dar Es Salaam want to see Singeli take over the world, so to bring it for the first time in China is a real honor and I'm proud to represent all of us singelia artists! This china show is great for me, expect happiness and good entertainment. I am asking you to come from different places to see Rehema Tajiri Master MC. I like to go to the beach to exercise when I'm not working and playing football is my joy！
BAIHUI：In your music creation and performances, how do you use this special family bond to inspire and strengthen each other?
Rehema Tajiri ：
I am happy that my daughter will be my dj, dj queen asher is a fantastic dj and performer. Asher has become a dj through the encouragement of our singelia nd nyege nyege family and we are all very proud of her. We work as friends in the show, not mother and child. after work at home we become mother and child I love her so much and I'm so g;ad we can travel the world together.
BAIHUI：On social media, we can see you dancing, playing soccer, and doing many interesting things in your spare time every day. How do you maintain such energy and vitality?
Rehema's soccer team won the championship
Rehema Tajiri ：
If you want to keep energy you have to stay happy, if you want to stay happy you have to do what makes you happy, eat well, be with friends, dance and listen to singeli music and don't stress and don't worry, then you can feel good and full of energy.China are you ready? China I love you so much! I want to know how to speak Chinese. I like to play, play music when I'm at home, this is my happiness and my lovers are happy when they see it! china china are you ready??? I love you so much, we will see each other on 1/6/2024 come.
BAIHUI：In the Pan African Music video, we saw a heartwarming scene of you sleeping on each other's shoulders in a long-distance bus during your tour. We believe you have experienced countless wonderful journeys like this. Finally, please share five songs with everyone traveling to "Zhaodai" by various means of transportation from different places. Let these melodies enhance the colors and atmosphere of their journey!
Rehema Tajiri ：
1.Kadodi/Bamba Pana - Wateranga (Domadana Remix)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdjlrQB2Fi8）
2.Sisso/Maiko - Njopeka
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHw-SpRiQU4）
3.DJ Travella ﹣ London Jomon Beat
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95F5ALDJRc8)
4.Nilotika - Ejokawulida
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNtp4SzEsck)
5.REHEMA TAJIRI - GOMA
(https://youtu.be/CP52WCwJYlo?si=mPF2v61G2MP5MMCC)