Marioo

Omary Ally Mwanga (born 31 December 1995), known professionally as Marioo, is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is known for his hits such as Bia Tamu, Mama Amina, Dear Ex, Raha, Mi Amor and Naogopa, songs that have made him a household name in Tanzania.

Omary Mwanga was born in Temeke Dar es salaam to Wandengereko parents from Pwani region of Tanzania.^[1] When he was a kid, he was sent to live with his grandmother in Kibiti, Pwani region where he studied Primary school and later on joined secondary school.

When he was in form one in secondary school he dropped out of school and moved Temeke, Dar Es Salaam to live with his mother again. While in Dar Es Salaam Marioo started working at his uncle's garage as a motor vehicle mechanic.^[1][2] It was during this time when he started writing songs for other musicians.

Long before he became a singer he is today Marioo started as a songwriter as he used to write songs for other artists. Some of the songs that Marioo wrote for other artists include Wapo by Mwasiti, Banana by Dogo Janja, Mchaka Mchaka by Shilole, Nampa Papa by Gigy Money, Nabembea by Ditto and many more.^[3][4]

In 2015, he recorded vocals of his first song, "Dar Kugumu" which upon its release was well received by fans and made him a household name in Tanzania^[1]

Marioo went on to release other successful Bongo Flava singles such as Raha, Inatosha, Asante, For You, Anyinya, Chibonge, Ya Uchungu and many others.^[5]

In 2020, Marioo released his smash hit Mama Amina, which was an Amapiano song infused with some elements of Bongo Flava. The song was marked number 11 on the list of best Tanzanian songs of the decade ranging from 2012-2022.^[6] His next Amapiano releases such as Dear Ex, Bia Tamu and Lonely have marked his status as the king of Swahili Amapiano.^[7][8][9]

In December 2021, Marioo released Mi Amor featuring Jovial from Kenya. The song also became a crossover hit with its visuals becoming the second most watched Tanzanian music video on Youtube in 2022.^[10] Rolling Stone magazine ranked Marioo number 39 on its 40 Afropop songs of 2022.

In 2022, Omary won 3 Tanzanian Music Awards from 7 nominations including Best Bongo Flava Song and Best Male Bongo Flava Artist ^[11]

Marioo released his debut album “The Kid You Know” on December 9, 2022.^[12] The 16 track album saw Marioo working with different music heavyweights such as Rayvanny, Tyla, Harmonize, Ali Kiba and more.

NotJustOk's and Tanzanian music journalist, Charles Maganga praised "The Kid You Know" album by stating that the album has "established Marioo as a mega Bongo Fleva star " and acclaimed Marioo's versatility as Marioo " explored different musical styles such as Amapiano, Afrobeats, and R&B while remaining true to his Bongo Fleva.^[13]

In May 2023, Marioo released The Deluxe Edition Of The Kid You Know Album with three additional singles which are Sing, Tomorrow and Tunamjua.^[14]

• Marioo's channel on YouTube
• Marioo