The 10 most impactful online Tanzanian comedians in 2024
Legendary American comedian Charlie Chaplin was not wrong when he famously said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted" and this statement rings true in today's world, where Tanzanians are avidly consuming comedy content on their mobile phones through platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and others.
This article aims to highlight the 10 most impactful online Tanzanian comedians.
Much like the surge in the music industry back in 2014, it is no exaggeration to say that the Tanzanian comedy industry is currently booming.
Years ago, viewers had to wait for specific time slots scheduled by TV stations to watch their favorite comedians and enjoy a good laugh.
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Shows like Zee Comedy on EATV, Orijino Komedi on TBC 1, Mizengwe on ITV, and Futuhi on Star TV were the primary sources of comedy content.
READ ALSO: Read Our Top 10 Picks For The Best TV Shows In Tanzania
In summary, the Tanzanian comedy industry was still in its dark ages, heavily controlled by media corporations, including the first televised stand-up comedy platform, the Vuvuzela Comedy Show by Evans Bukuku, that used to air on Clouds TV around 2010 - 2011.
But in recent years, the landscape has transformed dramatically. Tanzanian media no longer holds the monopoly over comedy it once enjoyed.
The advent of social media has birthed a new generation of stars, wielding the power to choose when, how, and what content they create, and at what volume.
This shift has unleashed a torrent of creativity and independence, allowing comedians to flourish outside traditional media confines.
Tanzanian comedian, Coy Mzungu, will forever be etched in history as the trailblazer who reshaped Tanzania's comedy scene.
His Cheka Tu platform has evolved into a nationally recognized comedy brand, challenging and ultimately surpassing Kenya's Churchill Show to become the foremost comedy platform in East Africa.
In order to recognize and celebrate the new era of the Tanzanian comedy industry, this article will spotlight the 10 most impactful online comedians in Tanzania as of 2024.
NB: The comedians featured in this list primarily communicate in Swahili and those who utilize social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and sprinkle of YouTube to deliver their content.
10. Asmah Jamida
At least five years ago, it was nearly impossible to find a female stand-up comedian in Tanzania.
However, Asmah Jamida, one of the few female comedians in the country, has changed this reality.
With over 200,000 followers on Instagram, Asmah has quickly attracted a large following through her short comedy skits and acting collaborations with notable figures like Mama Chanja.
In a relatively short period, she has managed to draw a significant audience, particularly among women who have long lacked representation in the comedy scene.
Her success highlights the growing presence and influence of female voices in Tanzanian comedy.
9. Uswege
Uswege stands out as the only comedian in Tanzania who regularly competes head-to-head with Tanzanian artists on the YouTube music trending charts.
His unique approach involves creatively using different song lines from Tanzanian artists to craft entire narrative stories.
While this might seem straightforward to some, it requires a significant amount of work and creativity. Despite the challenges, Uswege has never considered stopping.
With over 400,000 YouTube subscribers, Uswege's popularity is evident. His video "Siji Tena" has garnered approximately 1.9 million views, showcasing his wide-reaching appeal.
8. Shafii Brand
Shafii's comedy journey started with a bunch of viral videos where he cleverly talked about different social issues, wearing his famous signature style reflector, in an antique old house found in Sinza.
His usual opening phrase of "Masuala Ya" quickly became linked to his comedy style, making him popular and eventually earning him a legion of fans who started calling him Mr. Masuala.
Since then, Shafii has demonstrated an unparalleled level of consistency unmatched by any other Tanzanian comedian, regularly churning and posting new content every single day.
His diverse comedy series, including Baba Mwenye Nyumba, Baba Mkwe, Tanesco, and the recently concluded Beki Tatu featuring Baby Drama and Platform, have garnered him a sizable following of over 850k on TikTok.
However, Shafii's most notable attribute, distinguishing him from other Tanzanian comedians, is his unwavering support and raising of other talents in the industry.
Shafii has played a pivotal role in propelling the careers of other comedians and skit makers such as Nanga, Wakusmarta, Kevoo Joker, Uncle Mussa, and Suzy.
7. Mr Mwanya
Everything about Mr. Mwanya seems funny, from his diastema or tooth gap which he's adopted as his identity and stage name, to his habit of wearing a thin blue singlet backwards, his distinctive walking style, and even his recent gesture of celebrating reaching 1 million Instagram followers with a cake cracked a lot of fans.
On Instagram, Mr. Mwanya maintains a following of approximately 1 million followers, however, despite this seemingly modest figure, his engagement rates consistently match or exceed those of prominent Tanzanian singers with significantly larger follower counts.
His talent extend beyond the comedy; recently, he ventured into the music industry, releasing tracks like Ex, Pombe, and Bonjour, which have significantly bolstered his reputation in the entertainment sphere.
6. Hakika Ruben
When Hakika Ruben began to go viral on Instagram, TikTok, and people's WhatsApp statuses around 2020, many initially dismissed him as just another fluke comedian, assuming he would fade away over time.
However, to their surprise, he proved them wrong by remaining consistent and churning out more short-form content from an obscure village in Iringa.
As his fanbase expanded, he forged partnerships with other comedians to create more skits, embarked on media tours including appearances on Clouds FM and Wasafi FM, and currently boasts around 1.2 million followers, a number that acts as evidence that he is a permanent fixture in the Tanzanian comedy industry.
Based on his talents and popularity, at least every Tanzanian comedy stakeholder will agree that Hakika Ruben's rise to stardom is attributed to his innate comedic talent, distinguishing him from over polished and manufactured comedians.
His distinctive accent, characteristic broken English, and humorous ability to dissect and articulate peculiar everyday experiences have all contributed to his current status as a star.
5. Ndaro
Ndaro's greatest strength lies in his talent for crafting humorous content infused with advertising or sponsorship elements, as exemplified by his recent Infinix Mobile ad featuring Meena Ally, which has gone viral on the internet.
Collaborations with fellow comedians like Steve Mweusi and TX Dullah in skits have contributed significantly to his rise to stardom, while his standout performances at Cheka Tu stand-up comedy shows have further solidified his status as a superstar.
4. Tx Dullah
Unlike many old school comedians, Tx Dullah possesses a unique ability to effortlessly entertain his fans without exerting much energy.
Rising to prominence after joining the Cheka Tu platform, his comedy skits showcase that he doesn't rely on wearing women's clothing, using peculiar TikTok filters, or sleep on the road to entertain his audience.
His Nikushauri? comedy skit series and collaborations with fellow comedians like Ndaro and Shaffi have propelled him to heavyweight status, evident in the high engagement across his social media channels.
3. Eliud Samwel
Eliud Samweli remains one of the rare comedians in Tanzania unaffected by the influences of Dar Es Salaam and its people.
His Nyakyusa accent serves as his secret weapon for success, and his ability to recount childhood stories from his time in Mbeya on the Cheka Tu stage has solidified his status as a heavyweight comedian.
Taking a stroll through Eliudi’s Instagram, you'll discover that he wears many hats in the Tanzanian comedy industry.
From creating skits and serving as an MC to performing stand-up comedy and delivering amusing voiceovers, it's safe to say that Eliud Samweli has done it all.
Despite having only 600k followers on Instagram, Eliud's creativity and significant engagement have earned him the trust of different Tanzania brands like CRDB Bank, fulfilling a dream shared by many comedians in Tanzania.
2. Zero Brainer
One thing to know about Zero Brainer is that he's not a mainstream comedian. You won't see him on TV shows doing interviews, involved in any feuds, or featured in popular Tanzanian comedy clubs.
Despite his low profile in traditional media, he stands out as the most followed Tanzanian on TikTok, boasting over 6 million followers and 64 million likes.
His football content has become a major hit among his followers, who often assume he's from Kenya, but he's actually from Tanzania.
Achieving such massive numbers without mainstream exposure is a remarkable feat for a comedian who isn't widely known but has a significant impact online.
1.Laughs On Leonardo
From the moment Leonardo won the Cheka Tu Comedy Search in 2021, the Tanzania comedy industry has never stayed the same.
The Gen Z stand-up comedian, utilizing the Cheka Tu platform, has become one of the most in-demand Tanzanian comedians both on stage and commercially, earning endorsement deals with various heavyweight Tanzanian brands such as NMB Bank and the ride-sharing app Faras.
Leonardo, holding a Bachelor Of Science in Engineering from the Tanzania Water Institute, showed his elitism and made headlines on Twitter during his recent English-only interview with the Myod Podcast.
Additionally, his occasional guest appearances at Punchline, Tanzania's only English stand-up comedy show, underscore his ability to transcend language barriers, something that is rarely found in the Tanzanian comedy industry.
Through his journey, Leonardo has debunked the notion that comedy is reserved for the uneducated, demonstrating that it can indeed be a viable full-time profession similar to other careers.
Based on his funny and viral stand up comedy jokes, bilingual abilities, creative skits, and the massive engagement he receives from fans on Instagram and social media in general, it is without a doubt that currently, Leonardo is the Diamond Platnumz of the Tanzanian comedy industry.
