Tanzaniaโs renowned singer, Marijani Rajabu died around this time 30 years ago.
He is among the many musicians in East Africa who passed on at very tender ages.
Marijani Shaaban Rajabu, born on March 3, 1955, in the Kariakoo District of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was a prominent Tanzanian musician specializing in what can be described as East African country music.
His music, like many Tanzanian tunes of the 60s, 70s and 80s were in a genre which was stuck between Rhumba, Salsa and Cavacha with a sprinkle of coastal taarab but slightly laid back and capitalizing on rich lyrics.
Marijani Rajabuโs musical journey began in 1970 when, at the age of 15, he joined the ๐ฆ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ under the mentorship of the famous guitarist ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฒ๐น ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐๐ป๐ถ.
During his time with STC Jazz, Marijani expanded his horizons by traveling to Nairobi, in the neighbouring country of Kenya and recording songs under the ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฅ๐จ ๐๐๐๐ค๐ง๐๐จ. The company would later be known as โPolygram!โ
However, conflicts within the band led to his departure, and in 1972, he joined ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ founded and led by ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ.
Under Marijani’s influence, The Trippers evolved into ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐จ, becoming one of the prominent bands of the era, with Rajabuโs infectious voice dominating the groupโs products.
At that time, Marijani also played football.
Marijani’s prowess as a songwriter, singer, and guitarist flourished with Safari Trippers, producing hit songs like ๐น๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐ ๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ and ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ each selling over 10,000 copies.
Unfortunately, internal disagreements eventually led to the disbandment of Safari Trippers.
Though of course it was also suspected that, one Abel Balthazar a popular rhythm guitarist from Juwata Jazz Band, poached the entire line-up from Safari Trippers to form the new band, Dar-es-Salaam International.
In 1976, Marijani, along with some former Trippers, joined ๐ฟ๐๐ง ๐๐จ ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ข ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐โl under the ownership of ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ก๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ.
The band thrived, but clashes between Marijani and the group leader Abel Balthazar, resulted in Marijani’s expulsion.
However, when Abel Balthazar again left with a number of musicians to go and form Mlimani Park Orchestra, the management of Dar International resorted to drafting back Marijani.
Despite this setback, Marijani returned to Dar es Salaam International in 1978, bringing in new talents and adopting the Super Bomboka style. The band was managed by Ismail Issa Michuzi.
Super Bomboka days
Marijani led the music department and showcased his displeasure withย his nemesis, ๐๐ฏ๐ฒl Balthazar,ย through a satirical song,ย ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ย ๐ด๐๐.
Dar International went on to produce a string of fire hits, including Zuwena, Mwanameka, Siwema, Uke Wenza, Usia wa Baba, Ponda Mali and Sikitiko as well as many evergreen hits.
Rajabu liked to compare himself with Tabuley Rochereau and many of his songs bore the musical influence of Afrisa International.
But unlike Tabuley, Marijani Rajabu hated the limelight and avoided photographs at all costs.
In 1987, Dar International disbanded due to various reasons, including equipment deterioration.
Marijani continued his musical journey with brief stints in ๐๐ช๐ง๐ช๐๐๐ฃ๐ฏ๐ Band of ๐ผ๐ง๐ช๐จ๐๐ as well as ๐๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ.
Mahepe ngoma ya wajanja
In 1988, he co-led ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฏ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ก๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ, a group of over 50 musicians, creating special songs for the 10th anniversary of ๐๐๐ and the 20th anniversary of the Arusha Declaration.
In 1994, Marijani recorded songs with the late ๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐ด๐ด๐.
His final band was the ๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐, owned by the music promoter ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐น๐ฎ.
After that he retired from Music and turned to agriculture. In 1994 he is reported to have penned a total of 460 songs.
Marijani Rajabu died on 23สณแต March 1995.
Marijani Rajabu’s legacy lives on through his instructive and melodious songs, honouring his Kigoma roots.
Known as โBulldozer,โ or simply โDoza,โ he remains a cherished figure among music enthusiasts in Tanzania and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the African music scene.
His son, Rajabu Marijani also joined the music industry but as a producer.
Marijani junior is behind the 2003 fire hits like ‘Mi Maasai,’ by Mr Ebbo and ‘Siwema,’ by Lady Jaydee (a cover version of Dar International Hits of 1983)