Zanzibar 2025

From Lisbon to the Shores of Zanzibar

Our second BARIMBIKU residency began with a powerful show of community support. A sold-out fundraising concert in Lisbon, featuring local musicians and supporters, set the stage for our next chapter. This energy carried us to Zanzibar, where we formed a strategic partnership with the historic Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA).

Institutional Partnership & Heritage Fusion

The DCMA was instrumental to our success, providing support with the essential infrastructure—accommodation, recording facilities, and professional equipment—that allowed our creativity to thrive. Building on the foundation we laid in Maputo, we focused on a new sonic fusion: blending the intricate sounds of Taarab music—specifically the Kanun and Oud—with the modern pulses of Hip-hop and Reggae.

A Multi-Sensory Exchange

Over three weeks, we immersed ourselves in a rigorous schedule of workshops, interviews, concerts, and jam and recording sessions. Just as we did in Mozambique, we collaborated with a multidisciplinary collective of singers, multi-instrumentalists, poets, composers, and visual artists.

The Refined Section: Beyond the Music

Our work in Zanzibar extends far beyond the recording studio. To truly understand the island’s cultural pulse, we conducted a series of in-depth documentary interviews with local creators. These conversations capture the raw reality of being an artist in Zanzibar today—navigating the significant challenges of limited infrastructure while seizing the vast opportunities emerging within East Africa’s creative economy.

These interviews serve as a vital archive, ensuring that the stories of Zanzibari artists are heard globally. We invite you to witness these powerful narratives first-hand on our YouTube channel, where the spirit of the residency truly comes to life.

A Global Sound

The fruit of this rich cultural exchange is our second album, a testament to the dialogue between tradition and the contemporary world. This body of work is now available on all major streaming platforms, inviting listeners everywhere to experience the spirit of Zanzibar.