Hip-Hop Asili Festival

The Hip-Hop Asili Festival is an annual three-day celebration of hip-hop music and culture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Held in the last week of June, it brings together rappers, DJs, breakdancers, and graffiti artists from across the country and beyond.

• Held annually in Dar es Salaam since 2021
• Features live performances, workshops, and competitions
• Draws artists from across Tanzania and East Africa
• Supported by the French Embassy in Tanzania
• Celebrates hip-hop music, dance, and graffiti art

What it is

Hip-Hop Asili Festival is Tanzania’s leading event dedicated to hip-hop culture. Each year, it brings together artists, fans, and creative communities to celebrate the energy and diversity of hip-hop through music, dance, and street art. The festival is a platform for both emerging and established talent, offering a space where voices from across Tanzania and East Africa can be heard. It is not only a showcase of performances but also a meeting point for learning, sharing, and building connections within the hip-hop scene.

Where it comes from

The festival began in June 2021, marking the first international hip-hop festival in East Africa. Founded by Matei Babu and WePresent France, and supported by the French Embassy in Tanzania, it was created to highlight the vibrancy of Tanzanian hip-hop and connect local artists with global influences. The inaugural event was held at Nafasi Arts Space in Dar es Salaam, and subsequent editions have taken place at Alliance Française and Tasuba arts school, reflecting its growing reach and reputation.

How it is celebrated

Over three days, the Hip-Hop Asili Festival features a packed program of live performances by rappers, DJs, and bands, with artists such as Juma Nature, Nikki Mbishi, Dizasta Vina, and international guests taking the stage. Workshops led by veteran rappers and graffiti collectives give young artists a chance to learn new skills and share their experiences. The festival also hosts competitions to find the country’s top rappers, DJs, and breakdancers, drawing talent from across Tanzania—especially from Arusha, known for its hip-hop scene. Graffiti art, breakdancing battles, and collaborative performances fill the venues, creating a lively, creative atmosphere.

Joining in

If you visit Dar es Salaam in late June, you can join the Hip-Hop Asili Festival at venues such as Alliance Française or Nafasi Arts Space. Expect energetic crowds, live music, and a welcoming community of artists and fans. Workshops and competitions are open to newcomers, and the festival is a great way to experience Tanzania’s hip-hop culture up close. Most events are accessible to the public, and you’ll find a mix of Swahili and English spoken throughout.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Hip-Hop Asili Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Hip-Hop Asili Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.