Now in its fourth year, Sauti za Busara is the premier music festival in East Africa, showcasing the best groups and artists from the Swahili speaking world. The festival is the brain child of Yusuf Mahmood, aka DJ Yussuf, who came to Africa as a VSO volunteer, setting up Beat the Border and VSO’s Routes in Rhythm. In 2003, he started Busara Promotions, a non-profit NGO working throughout East Africa to promote local and international music, build skills of regional artists and develop cross-regional promoters’ networks.

The first Sauti za Busara in 2004 was organised to bring African music to a wider audience. Since then, Sauti za Busara has gone from strength to strength, and shows no signs of slowing down. This year’s performers hail from across Africa; Tanzania, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal and Rwanda, each bringing their own style of music with them. Rap, hip hop, bongo flava, taarab, reggae and R ‘n B, each with a uniquely African feel.

The music ranges from a celebration of traditional culture to innovative fusions of musical traditions and modern styles, like Ellika & Solo who bring together Senegalese griot with Swedish polska. Some artists use music to deliver a message about AIDS, drugs, poverty and political struggle, to give a voice to the problems facing Africa today. Some songs are passed down through the generations, resonating with gorgeous harmonies and rhythms that make you want to dance, and sing along.

Language isn’t a barrier as the beat gets under your skin and you find yourself shouting, clapping and grooving with the people around you. As western music becomes more and more pre packaged and sanitized, Sauti za Busara takes you back to the beginning, where music touches you and makes you feel alive.