Ali Kiba

Ali Kiba
Kiba at the 2016 MTV EMA Awards as the Best African Act
Born (1986-11-29) 29 November 1986 (age 37)
Kigoma Region, Tanzania
Other namesKing Kiba
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Singer
  • Director
  • Footballer
Years active2004–present
Musical career
Also known asKing Kiba
OriginTanzania
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Piano
Labels
Websitehttps://www.instagram.com/officialalikiba

Ali Saleh Kiba (Born 29 November 1986), best known as Ali Kiba or occasionally as King Kiba, is a Tanzanian musician and songwriter. He is one of the most talented musicians in East Africa and mostly considered the King of Bongo Flava music Genre. He is from Kigoma and the owner of Kings Music label and the Crown Media Group. With hit songs such as Mwana, Aje, Chekecha Cheketua, Cinderella, Nakshi Mrembo, Usiniseme, Dushelele, Single Boy with Lady Jaydee, Mapenzi Yana Run Dunia,mahaba,mama with legendary yvone chaka chaka and Macmuga. Ali Kiba is usually regarded as one of the most successful Bongo Flava stars usually associated with close rivalry with Diamond Platnumz.[1][2][3]

In 2008 Ali Kiba collaborated with R. Kelly and other African musicians on the One 8 project.[4] Since then the award-winning singer collaborated with various music heavyweights such as Patoranking, Sauti Sol, Marioo, Nyashinski, Khaligraph Jones and Sarkodie among others.[5]

Around 2011 Ali Kiba took a three years hiatus from the music industry and returned in 2014 with the release of "Mwana". The song was well received by fans and made him win 5 awards at the 2015 Tanzania Music Awards[6]

On his comeback, Ali Kiba was signed under Rockstar 4000, music label owned by Christine Mosha. Under the label, Ali Kiba released many hit songs including Chekecha Cheketua, Lupe, Mvumo Wa Radi and Aje, a Bongo Flava love song that was ranked number 3 by Notjustok on their list of Best 100 Tanzanian songs of the decade ranging from 2012- 2022[7]

In May 2016, Ali Kiba signed to Sony Music, being the first East African be signed by the recording company. He left both Sony and Rockstar 4000 in 2021 and started his own record label, Kings Music which now houses different Tanzanian acts such as Tommy Flavour, Vanillah, K2ga and Abdu Kiba.[8]

In November 2021, Ali Kiba released his third studio album titled Only One King containing 16 songs including Utu, Niteke, Salute featuring Rude Boy, Jealous featuring Mayorkun and Washa featuring Nyashinski.

Only One King which Ali Kiba termed as a "Pan African album" went on to win the Best Album category in the 2022 Tanzanian music awards, a highly prestigious ceremony that Ali Kiba went on to win 5 awards in a single night where he also won other categories such as Best Male Artist People's Choice, Best Music Video for his smash hit "Salute" featuring Nigerian Rudeboy, Best Melodic Songwriter of the Year and Best East African Artist during the ceremony.[9]

Alikiba became the most awarded Tanzanian artist in the 2022 Tanzania Music Awards followed by Nandy and Marioo who won 3 awards each.[10][11]

On March 10, 2024, Bongo Flava star Alikiba launched his new radio station, Crown FM 92.1, broadcasting in Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Tanga, and Pwani. [12]

  1. ^ "Diamond vs Alikiba: Who is the King of Bongo? ⚜ Latest music news online". mdundo.com. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Diamond Platnumz Denies Beef With AliKiba". Notjustok. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Timeline of Diamond Platnumz and Alikiba's decade long beef explained". Mpasho. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  4. ^ "One8 project by the African musicians and the American, R. Kelly". Retrieved 21 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Review: Alikiba's Only One King". Music In Africa. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  6. ^ Okoth, Brian (15 June 2015). "Ali Kiba outshines Diamond Platnumz in the 2015 Kilimanjaro Tanzania Music Awards".
  7. ^ "The 100 best Tanzanian songs of the decade: 2012 - 2022". Notjustok. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. ^ "AliKiba quits Sony Music Entertainment". The Standard. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  9. ^ Milimo, Dennis (4 April 2022). "Alikiba, Harmonize and Nandy win big at Tanzania Music Awards [Full List]". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. ^ Milimo, Dennis (4 April 2022). "Alikiba, Harmonize and Nandy win big at Tanzania Music Awards [Full List]". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Tanzania Music Awards 2023: All the winners". Music In Africa. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Alikiba Launches Crown FM". AudioMpya. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.