We’ve been spending way too much time on YouTube lately, falling down a rabbit hole of African music, and we think we just found the one artist everyone is going to be talking about by the end of the year.
His name is Itaré, and honestly, he’s a breath of fresh air.
If we’re used to the usual Bongo Flava sound coming out of Tanzania, we need to clear our ears for a second. This artist hailing from Dar es Salaam is doing something completely different. We did a bit of digging, and his story is actually wild. He just finished a degree in Cybersecurity while dropping his debut EP. Imagine being in a lab studying data encryption one hour and then hitting the studio to record a hit like “Pretty Girl” the next. That kind of discipline shows in the music it’s tight, it’s polished, and it doesn’t sound like anyone else right now.
Itaré’s music is this captivating fusion of Bongo Flava, Afrobeats, and Dancehall. He’s already taken Dar by storm, drawing packed crowds to his shows because his energy on stage is just electric. He’s not just a solo act, either we’ve noticed he’s forged some exciting collaborations with fellow up-and-comers like 10kleeroy and Mikantony, which has only added to the massive buzz in the local scene.
What’s cool is that he’s carved out a real niche for himself. He hasn’t just won hearts with his music, but also with this magnetic personality that has earned him a seriously devoted fanbase.
We’ve had “Pretty Girl” on repeat for days, but it’s clear he’s been putting in the work for a while. He actually made his debut on SoundCloud back in 2021 with a track called “Tough Luv.” Since then, he’s released nine singles, including the hit “Far Away” that soared onto the trending Afrosounds list on Audiomack.
“Pretty Girl” feels like the culmination of all that growth. Produced by Sign Beatz, it has that smooth, late night bounce that just works. It’s romantic but not cheesy, and his flow is effortless. He actually started out as a rapper (huge J. Cole fan), and we can definitely hear that in the way he pieces his lyrics together, even when he’s singing.
Usually, we see artists try to copy what’s trending in Lagos or London, but Itaré feels like he’s building his own lane right in the middle. He’s got the brains, the look, and most importantly, the songs.
If you haven’t checked out the “Pretty Girl” video yet, you need to go watch it. We’re calling it now as he continues to evolve and stay true to his dynamic sound, this guy is on a promising journey to becoming a household name. Give it a year or two, and he’s going to be on the same festival stages as the biggest names in the world.
