Basata sees artistic works increase by 44pc

THE National Arts Council (BASATA) stamped success in this year’s Tanzania Music Awards (TMA) after seeing a tremendous increase in submissions of artists’ work from 1,300 in 2021/2022 to 1,870 in 2022/2023.

It makes an increase of 570 artistic works submitted which is an increase by 44 per cent.

Speaking with Daily News, the council’s Executive Secretary affirmed the numbers while insisting that out of 1300 artists works submitted in 2021/2022, only 700 were qualified while In 2022/2023, out of 1870 works, only 1019 were qualified.

He added that the Minister for Arts, Culture and Sports, Pindi Chana, will announce the TMA nominees at Morena Hotel in Dodoma.

Tanzania Music Awards Gala is the National music award held annually in Tanzania.

It has been going as the Kilimanjaro Music Awards or the Kili Music Awards for many years. The awards were established in 1999 by the National Arts Council.

Mapana said they have recently finished the academy process which involved 50 members who are experts in the music industry.

While addressing on this, he said they have considered about 57 criteria in selecting the nominees. One of the criteria is the artists should follow the song’s rhythm, verses and chorus.

He said that the other criteria are that the song should have good flavours and also be mostly liked by people.

Mapana elaborated that various artists have been requested to be on the nomination list.

Among the notable artists include  Ali Saleh Kiba known as Alikiba, Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa(Rayvanny) and Maua Sama.

He has also called on other artists who have not submitted their works this year to make sure that in the coming years to submit their works as the authority aims to promote and protect their artistic works.