"Brenda Fassie was a powerhouse a queen whose voice and message broke boundaries. Her song Nakupenda carried a rawness that moved generations, including me. Sampling her was my way of honouring her legacy, while also bridging eras of African music. It’s a celebration of the roots that nourish the sound we create today."

Like a love letter, Tete features his lover Paula Kajala in the video, and she helps bring his vision for the song to life.

"Paula brought an energy to the visualiser that was both soft and magnetic. She became the living spirit of the song. Tete is about emotional connection and vulnerability, and she helped translate that into something visually graceful. Her presence gave the song a heartbeat you could see, not just hear."

To Marioo, numbers do not define him; he has topped the Boomplay and Audiomack charts in Tanzania, and he keeps evolving with every success.

"I'm grateful for the love and support, but I don’t let numbers define me. I stay grounded by staying close to my roots, my family, my team, my fans. Growth to me means evolving with purpose: learning, unlearning, and staying open to new sounds while remaining authentic to who I am."

The musician's Godson album features collaborations with stars from across Africa.

He also shared the value he has gained from some of the collaborations he has had with artistes like King Promise, Bien, and Harmonize.

"Each collaboration was a journey. With King Promise, I learnt about vocal subtlety from this Ghanaian soul; Bien brought lyrical depth and storytelling finesse; Harmonize reminded me of the fire and hustle that lives in East African music. These artists didn’t just bring their voices—they brought their worlds. And I grew from every moment of it."

His sound blends Bongo Flava with AfroFusion and Afrobeat influences. He noted that it was vital for him to push the boundaries of Tanzanian music.

"Very important. I see myself as a bridge between tradition and the future. Bongo Flava is home, but music is universal. By fusing genres, I’m not abandoning Tanzanian identity. I’m expanding it. It’s about showing the world that Tanzanian music can be dynamic, global, and still stay true to its roots."

Source: TUKO.co.ke