Marioo

Tanzanian bongo flava musician

Marioo

Birth name| Omary Ally Mwanga
Born|  (1995-12-31) 31 December 1995 (age 28)[1]
Temeke District, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania[1]
Origin| Dar es Salaam, Tanzania[1]
Genres|

* Bongo Flava
* amapiano
* afropop

Occupations|

* Songwriter
* poet
* singer
* businessman

Years active| 2015-present
Labels| Bad-Nation Limited
Website| Website

Musical artist

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.

## Early life

[edit]

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.

## Career

[edit]

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]

## Discography

[edit]

Year | Songs | Collaborators

|
|

2018
Wauwe
Dar Kugumu
Subira
Manyaku
Yale
Nyatu Nyatu | Gnako
Ifunya
2019
Inatosha
Chi Bonge
Raha
Anyinya
Ya Uchungu
2020
Aya
Kongoro
Unanikosha | Skales (Remix)
Asante
Tikisa
Mama Amina | Sho Madjozi, Bontle Smith
2021
For You
Sokoma
Wow
Beer Tam | Tyler ICU, Visca, Abbah Process
Mi Amor
Te Quiero
2022
Naogopa | Harmonize
Dear Ex  |

### Awards

[edit]

Awards  Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Result (work)

|
|
|

2020 | Sound City Awards[15][16] | Best New MVP | Nominated
2021 | All Africa Music Awards[17] | Best Newcomer | Nominated
Swahili Fashion Awards[18] | Stylish Music Video of the Year | Won "Beer Tamu"
2022 | Tanzania Music Awards[19]
Artist, people’s choice (male) | Nominated
Song, bongo flava | Won "Beer Tamu"
Artist, bongo flava (male) | Won
Collaboration, African | Nominated "Miamor"
Collaboration, Tanzanian | Won "Loyalty"
Lyricist | Nominated "Miamor"
Composer, melody | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f "Nitegemeo la masupastaa kwa kuwaandikia mistari" [I rely on leaders for writing verses]. Mwananchi (in Swahili). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Mwananchi Communications. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
2. ^ "Marioo, Bongo Flava's new star in the making". The Citizen (Tanzania). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Citizen (Tanzania). 22 November 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
3. ^ "Marioo kutoka kwa Mama Ntilie hadi studio". Mwanaspoti. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
4. ^ "Mimi Mars Asema Urafiki Wake na Marioo Unafanya Kazi Kuwa Rahisi – Video". Global Publishers. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
5. ^ "Marioo All songs". DJ Mwanga. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
6. ^ "The 100 best Tanzanian songs of the decade: 2012 - 2022 | Notjustok". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
7. ^ "Marioo ends Diamond Platnumz's dominance on Spotify charts". The Citizen. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
8. ^ "BongoPiano: Fad or long-lasting musical genre". Mpasho. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
9. ^ "Marioo claims to be the pioneer of Swahili Amapiano | Notjustok East Africa". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
10. ^ "10 Most Watched Music Videos In Tanzania In 2022 On Youtube". Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 3 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
11. ^ Milimo, Dennis (4 April 2022). "Alikiba, Harmonize and Nandy win big at Tanzania Music Awards". PulseLive. Nairobi, Kenya: PulseLive Kenya. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
12. ^ "Marioo The Kid You Know Album Review: The Mix Of Bongofleva, Afrobeat And Amapiano Collaborations Of Wakali Wa Africa". JamiiForums. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
13. ^ "Review: Best Songs in "The Kid You Know Album" by Marioo". 11 December 2022.
14. ^ Kevoo (16 May 2023). "Marioo - The Kid You Know (Deluxe Edition) Album MP3 DOWNLOAD — citiMuzik". Retrieved 21 May 2023.
15. ^ Durosomo, Damola (12 January 2020). "Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Rema, Teni & More Win Big at 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards". Okayafrica. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
16. ^ Abdallah, Nasra (2 April 2022). "Nani kusepa na kijiji tuzo za TMA?" [Who will win the town's TMA awards?]. Mwananchi Communications (in Swahili). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Mwananchi Communications.
17. ^ "Nigeria: AFRIMMA, YouTube Black Voice to Celebrate African Music Stars in Virtual Award Show". Vanguard (Nigeria). Lagos, Nigeria: Vanguard (Nigeria). 6 December 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
18. ^ Ismail, Ramadhani (10 December 2021). "Swahili Fashion Week: Celebrating TZ@60 in style". The Citizen (Tanzania). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: The Citizen (Tanzania). Retrieved 25 June 2022.
19. ^ Maganga, Charles (3 April 2022). "Here Is The Full List Of Winners For 2021 Tanzania Music Awards". notjustok.com. Dar es Salaam: notjustok. Retrieved 23 June 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Tanzania portal

Marioo at Wikipedia's sister projects

* Media from Commons
* Data from Wikidata

* Marioo's channel on YouTube
* Marioo

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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