Taarab is a popular music genre in East Africa that originated in the late 19th century. It is a fusion of Arabic, Indian, and African music styles and is characterized by the use of traditional instruments such as the oud, qanun, and violin. Taarab music often features poetic lyrics sung in Swahili and is known for its emotional and romantic themes. Jahazi Modern Taarab is a modernized version of the genre, while Bi Kidude was a legendary singer who popularized taarab music in Tanzania. East African Melody is a group that continues to perform and promote traditional taarab music.
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Here is a list of taarab artists on Spotify, ranked based on popularity, who exemplifies the taarab genre. You can find out what taarab genre sounds like where you can preview artists or sort them the way you want, just click the headers to sort.
