Simba’s “Katam” shrugs off RnB idiom, sticks on Simba wa Nyika route

DAR ES SALAAM: AS Bongo Flava celebrates the third round of its 30th anniversary in Dodoma tomorrow, “Katam” by Diamond Platnumz featuring Kenyan star Bien-Aimé Baraza deserves to be on the playlist menu.

It has been among Bongo Flava’s top trends with a huge viewership from East Africa and across the continent owing to the artists’ huge fan base globally.

Who opposes it, the song itself seems to query. “Anayepinga asimame” is a famous line from the hit East African song “Katam” by Diamond Platnumz featuring Kenyan artist Bien. It was released in June 2025.

The catchy phrase translates to “Whoever disagrees should stand up”, used in the track to challenge anyone doubting the beauty and qualities of the East African young lady being praised.

As expressed, though viewers comment, the song seems to touch every African; in length, it defines what East African youth love in a woman in terms of shape, skin, eyes and body morphology.

Signed as @Royspark_Reiz, the viewer comments: “Kenyans, Ugandans, Rwandans, Tanzanians, Burundians, Somalians, DRC Congo, Nigerians, Ghanaians, South Africans, Ethiopians, Namibians, South Sudanese, Malawians, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambians, Benin, Eritrea, Senegal, Guìneá, USA, U.K, France, Colombians, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, France, Gabon, Angola, Niger, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt’s gather here for these two East African Kings.

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A fan who signed as @KamaSlyTV says: “I like the fact that Kenya’s finest and Tanzania’s finest are collaborating on a masterpiece. Love from Ghana. From Zimbabwe, Prince Chamanga just commented: “Zimbabwe for Jah Prayzah,” while Ethiopian Yohannes Haidebo said on “Katam”: “Big respect Diamond P.

We are united Africans, one love from East Africa, Mother of Africa, Ethiopia,” One who signed as @millionaire_official13 adds: “Bien is the best like here from Rwanda, Sura ya Kigali. “Diamond thanx for this tune for us all East Africans to the globe, great efforts, Simba.

Na nyuma ni Muganda,” Commented a fan from Bunga, Uganda. Also from Uganda, Alen Ishimwe says: “na nyuma ni muganda” Nyiringabo Dismas comments: “Simba to the world, much love our brother Simba.” “Akili niya wakenya “Hi cousins” gonga like,” says @MRBOBAHOFFICIAL From Rwanda, a viewer @winTvRwanda said: “Sura ya Kinyarwanda, Rwandans, where are you?? Drop your likes here.”

A signed as @vincentbarkutwo105 commented: “Bien anafufua wahenga watunge nyimbo tamu na mashairi and from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a fan who signed as @DANGOLAMUMBERE said: “Wa kwanza kutoka congo jamani na omba likes zangu.” From @Ezrakayofficial: “Ngozi ya kirundi Burundian where are u? Gongs like apa.” “Nyuma ni Uganda. Ugandans let’s gather… East Africa’s song,” says@nanfukarehemah.

The song “Katam” has retained the East African sound of the mid-1970s, the time when Justus Kasoya (Tamasha Label) and James Mhilu (RTD) mastered the production of the region’s mega hits. There is a suave alto saxophone sound in “Katam” which had an embouchure of great Elias John Luizar of Jamhuri Jazz and Simba wa Nyika fame.

But it was just a synthesised sound. But in reality, there is no prominent saxophone feature or official saxophone credit listed in Diamond Platnumz’s hit song “Katam” featuring Bien. The track produced by S2Kizzy, is built on a Bongo Flava and Afro-fusion-infused electronic beat rather than live horn arrangements.

The beauty of the East African beauty queen, according to “Katam” lyrics, has Ethiopian eyes, Burundian shiny skin, Somalian hair, South Sudan’s smile, Ugandan back shape, Kenyan brain and Tanzanian sweetness. The picture of beauty portrayed in “Katam” might look like “Shingo ya Upanga” recorded by Tamasha Label in 1973 or “Rangi ya Chungwa” recorded by Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam in 1976.

“Rangi ya Chungwa” composer Juma Kitambi described the orange-skinned beauty he met in Tabora as resembling Wairaqw from Arusha or Warangi from Kondoa, both of them with deep Abyssinian features.

“Katam” and many others present day’s top trends tell the audience that Bongo Flava is no longer glued to American RnB whose main feature is syncopated words. Except for a part where Diamond Platnumz flavoured “Katam” with a few words of Jamaican Dance Hall beat, the hit is wholeheartedly East African as it retains the mood of East African songs on vinyl discs.

With “Katam” parading this reality, Tanzania and its close neighbour Kenya are viewed, from global perspectives, as East and Central Africa’s most vibrant and fruitful musical regions where different nationalities, cultures and traditions are juxtaposed and confirmed.

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Richness in their music industry comes from diversity rather than purity, and that is where Swahili music stands today; whether it is Bongo Flava, Modern Taarab, Gospel or Singeli, it commands the now vibrant music scene.

Heading to tomorrow’s Bongo Flava’s 30th anniversary in Dodoma, the biggest trending Bongo Flava hits right now include massive tracks like Mbosso’s Pawa, Diamond Platnumz’s Haunisumbui, and Alikiba’s “Mshumaa,” These songs dominate local airwaves, streaming platforms and clubs across East Africa. Mbosso’s Afrobeats-infused melodic love ballad that currently sits at the top of local charts.

“Haunisumbui” by Diamond Platnumz Vibe: A heavy-hitting club banger from the WCB Wasafi boss. “Mshumaa” by Alikiba: A soulful, storytelling record highlighting Kings Music dominance on “Jirani,” Jay Melody’s highly requested romantic and relatable storytelling Bongo track “Furaha,” Harmonize’s upbeat, danceable, and energetic track from the Konde Music Worldwide leader.

There is no question that, as time goes by, Bongo flava and its associated genres can keep reaching new heights – like other popular music in East Africa. Diamond-Bien collaboration has blended powerful vocal with an emotional sound that speaks to the heart and encourages listeners to stand together in faith and hope.

“Katam” will be celebrating the Pearl Jubilee of Bongo Flava alongside its past contemporary hits like: “Mtoto wa geti kali” by Inspector Haroun, “Hii leo” by Crazy Gk and “Uko wapi” by Ray C. They were once very popular on radio and television stations. Surprisingly, they are no longer appealing today.

“If you sing a song portraying love, everyone is touched in one way or another. But if it is on imaginary themes, then you will not last,” once said Amani Temba, whose productions clinched top ranks in local charts in the mid-2000s.

Another musician who has taken this direction is Mwasiti Almasi, famously known by her first name Mwasiti. She says: “I am delighted because I always have the chance to perform with a live band while many up-and-coming musicians don’t have that privilege.”

What makes music with syncopated words(rap) fail to stay long in charts, Mheshimiwa Temba said, is what matters: The music genre one plays. “You can’t make a hip hop ‘live performance.’ Live performance is suitable for.