Some names are given, Naira was chosen. For this Tanzanian-born artist, Naira isn’t just a name. It means value. It means strength. And every time she hears it, she’s reminded of who she is, where she’s from, and what she’s fighting for: her music, her story, her dream.
Born and raised in the vibrant heart of Tanzania, Naira’s artistic roots run deep into the soil of East African tradition. Her childhood was steeped in cultural mosaic storytelling circles, ancestral songs, and the unmistakable rhythm of community life.
Whether it was grandparents telling stories in the village or traditional songs being sung at school, Naira was surrounded by rhythm and meaning from an early age. These early experiences planted the first seeds of her artistry.
But before stepping into the spotlight, she focused on school. Even though she was writing songs and soaking in music every day, she waited until after college to fully dive in. “I knew I was an artist,” she says, “but I didn’t want to mix my studies with music. I wanted to be free to move, to focus, to fly.”
Naira’s sound is a unique genre called Bongo Flava. A mix of traditional Tanzanian music like Goma and Arab dance, fused with Afrobeat, hip hop, and a bit of R&B soul. “This blend makes it unique and that is what makes it called Bongo Flavor. And this music addresses a lot of issues, social, political issues, also like poverty, corruption, diseases such as HIV, also it expresses love and a lot of things that are happening in the society” she added.
Naira is inspired by legends like Remmy Ongala, Diamond Platnumz, and Jay Dee. But she also looks to icons like Beyoncé and Shakira, not just for their sound, but for their power on stage and the way they tell stories through music. Though she’s got mad love for a lot of African artistes, her current faves are rising African stars like Ayra Starr and Tyla, who are showing the world just how big African music can be.
Her first EP, Forever, has three songs: Salama (a deep track about heartbreak), Passenger (a fun, love-filled ride), and Forever (emotional, timeless, powerful). Each song tells a different story but together, they give you a full picture of her voice, her vibe, and her vision. The project was based on intentional storytelling, handpicked with her team and designed to move hearts across borders.
Becoming a Boomplay ambassador was another huge milestone. Not just because of the recognition, but because Boomplay supports African artists and helps their music go global. “It meant a lot,” Naira says. “It made me feel seen.”
The everyday life for Naira is what she terms as the keep pushing forward routine. Create, Record, Perform, Posting, Engage and Grow. Being an artist isn’t always easy there are things you give up, places you can’t go, and choices you have to make for the sake of your brand. But for Naira, it’s worth it.
Naira is also learning to balance staying true to her Swahili roots while making music that speaks to a wider audience. “Before, it was hard for Bongo music to be heard across the continent. But now it’s getting recognized. We’re finding that balance between who we are and what the world wants to hear.”
Naira’s best moments lies in performing on big stages and connecting with fans who truly understand her vision. But the biggest moment always happens when she realizes how her music is making an impact to the society.
Naira wants to collaborate, perform across the world, and tell deeper stories that inspires through her music. She’s building a future where her songs connect with people everywhere. “The future for me is all about growth, expanding my sound, reaching new audience and staying true to my artistic journey.”
But through it all, she stays Grounded. Honest. Original. Because Naira’s not just trying to blow up, she’s trying to last forever.
