X Plastaz 's Biography, Age, Spouse, Tribe, Real Name, Networth , Songs and Lifestyle Wikidata | Claim this profile

X Plastaz 's Biography in Summary

X Plastaz is a Tanzanian hip hop musical group founded in 1996 in Arusha. They are one of the most well-known acts in Tanzania's hip hop scene. Merege, a Maasai singer, represents their style, which combines elements of international hip hop and traditional Maasai music. Merege sings in Maa (Maasai), while the other members of the band rap in Swahili and Haya. Merege is also known for performing in traditional Maasai attire.

X Plastaz hip hop moves at a slower pace than most African hip hop and is distinguished by Maasai deep chanting. Songs by X Plastaz such as Aha!, Dunia dudumizi, Bamiza, and, most notably, Msimu kwa msimu are among the most popular bongo flava hits.

X Plastaz and Tanzanian culture

X Plastaz's image is heavily based on the appeal of Maasai culture to both Tanzanian and international audiences, in addition to including Maasai vocal lines in their songs. One of their most popular songs, Aha!, is about life in a traditional Maasai village, and the music video for this song was shot in a traditional village, displaying the Maasai people's lifestyle and customs. The rap in the song is in Swahili and Haya, and the chorus is a traditional Maasai chant. This Is My Africa, an HBO documentary, also featured the song. 

In their musical and stylistic embrace of both traditional Maasai culture and American hip hop, X Plastaz encountered a common issue in African contemporary and pop music: adapting what could be seen as a colonialist tradition to their own culture while contributing to the development of their country's and their people's national and cultural identities. Their attitude is the result of their deliberate and explicit intention to pursue "African hip hop" rather than mimicking American black music and, more broadly, expressing subjection to Western culture. For example, their website mentions the American magazine National Geographic, which published an article about their music, but it also explains what the magazine is. 

X Plastaz' lyrics frequently deal with social and political issues, as is common for hip hop acts. X Plastaz use their music to draw attention to dramatic problems in Tanzania and Africa in general, such as poverty, AIDS, and war.