In 2024, we were fortunate enough to encounter a truly unique and remarkable experience that left a lasting impact on us, VOM Talent Search. It was a piece to the puzzle that not only brought immense joy and satisfaction but also served as a powerful reminder of the value and significance of our efforts. It was incredibly rewarding, serving as validation of our hard work and dedication; a celebration of community, talent and citizen diplomacy. Some might even go as far as to describe it as essential, emphasizing the crucial role we play in our respective fields. This event not only highlighted our individual creative contributions but also underscored the collective impact of our work on those around us. It reinforced our commitment and passion, inspiring us to continue striving for excellence and making a difference in the world.
My heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants for remaining a part of our close-knit creative community.
As we end this year, we want to thank all of you for your continuing enthusiasm, participation and support. You're the engine fueling us. Please consider spreading the Voice of Maasai word with a gift of album art or music this holiday season. Not only will you be giving the gift of cultural intelligence - and what better thing to share? - but you'll be enabling us to continue increasing the breath and depth of our cultural music and talent platform.
Please enjoy this issue and have a happy and prosperous New Year.
Jessey Jansen
Talent Search - SIMANJIRO DISTRICT TANZANIA
I crafted 2024 with a tickling theme of Dream, a guiding phrase to help us reveal new layers of our studio, our label, and ourselves. Our first talent search in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region Tanzania, far surpassed our dream of going straight to the people as part of the solution to bridge the gap between opportunities and realities.
Eighty-nine eager contestants auditioned throughout Lobosiret, Narakowa and Kimotorok, all swelling with community support and excitement. Some shuffled in out of curiosity, others walked great distances to compete, but the majority responded to our call for talent with pre-registration and preparation.
Contestants were asked to perform the following three criteria to help the judges determine vocal abilities, range, pitch, harmonization, timing, interpersonal skills and other essentials.
1) freestyle song w/out music
2) common hymn/pre-arranged music
3) improvise to pre-arranged music
All contestants were given a fair shot in being selected as one of 10 finalists that proceeded onto the winners challenge for a chance at the grand prize package; profile on VOM, media interviews, transportation stipend, award certificates, winners medal and our sweet recording package that includes mentoring and publishing.
Judges scrutinized, noted and laughed their way through the productions of gifted vocalists and other comics, dancers and performers in their own right. Day 1 auditions hosted in Lobosiret resulted in 4 finalists, day 2 in Narakawo resulted in 3 finalists and day 3 on Kimotorok resulted in 3 finalists, all received food and transportation stipend to attend winners round in Lobosiret on day 4.
The final 10 arrived to Lobosiret by 9:30 AM to kick-off the winners round. Micro-expressions were a bit different this day as the winners package was in close grasp but only 3 could win. Fidgeting and stiffness subsided as VOM team invited the contestants to do something natural, like jump, leap, or yell, which helped everyone laugh and loosen up. After another full day of auditions, representing the best of Simanjiro, the winners were announced and celebrations began: Jonas Eliya from Lobosiret, Nai Yohana from Narakawo, Lamayani Tangwai from Lobosiret
From here, training and mentoring were arranged for the aspiring vocalists. Alex calmly applied his years of practice and professionalism to take the appropriate time to prepare the artists for the upcoming recording session at the new studio. He rounded-up Pendo Moringe to assist with group practice, cultural negotiations and studio rehearsals. His excellence was felt by all, soothing any nerves of the newcomers.
His profoundly multi-talented character is a true gift when it comes to keeping an open-mind and adapting to new situations. Acutely applying his interpersonal skills with his musical gifts, his creativity flourished in composing an integrated, uniquely balanced and highly rhythmic East African sound with the new recruits.
Accepting one another's differences is part of existence, the path to peace, the door to a multitude of opportunities that continue to bring us all new friendships, new understandings, new travel, new business, and new dreams. Listen to winners EP, Enduata here
Cultivating Music - Interview with Alex
Not every music label in Austin, Texas, is co-run by a woman and a producer from Arusha, Tanzania, but that's the unique setup at Voice of Maasai. While volunteering abroad, owner Jessey Jansen crossed paths with a Maasai choir that would later lead her to Alex Lobulu. Read full Interview here
Outstanding Team Member
This young woman was the reason behind the tremendous success of the talent show.
Pendo Moringe is laser-focused on her objective of enterprise and empowerment, despite the demanding domestic responsibilities placed on Maasai women. She is determined to leverage her singing talent and VOM platform to champion her community, aiming to address local issues through local influence.
Pendo took charge of the event committee and community to organize an exceptional talent show. She is a valuable member of our team and serves as an inspiration for other young women who aim to defy limitations while respecting their heritage.
New Music
Dream ft Alex Lobulu
In our latest collab, Alex Lobulu applies his Tanzanian accent, gospel-inflections, and melodic compositional style, as Jessey writes about love and relationships with central characters who are not necessarily losing in life, but not winning either. Touching emotional territory that resonates cross-culturally, the two uniquely balance stark lyrical honesty with a rhythmic East African sound. Listen and download
Two Crystal Swans ft Alex Lobulu & Lenes Jackson
Two Crystal Swans is about a gift, the most precious of gifts: love. Lyrics are filled with the deepest degrees of vulnerability and tenderness, revealing a journey layered with resilience and the patience to rebuild, a blended composition making space for each, man and woman to be seen and heard. Alex Lobulu and Lenes Jackson apply their gospel-inflections and melodic compositional style, as Jessey writes about love and relationships, touching emotional territory that resonates cross-culturally. Starting with a gentle introduction, one that feels hopeful and airy, Alex opens with piano allowing room for thoughtful emotion. Listen and download
Enduata ft Talent Search Winners
Three winners out of 89 eager contestants share their dreams on latest Afropop EP by Voice of Maasai. Nai Yohana, Jonas Eliya, Lamayani Tangwai's with Pendo Moringe as backup share their convictions in this uplifting album fusing Gospel and Chakacha, a traditional music and dance style of the Swahili people of coastal Kenya and Tanzania.
The inspired lyrics paired with composer Alex Lobulu's visceral rhythms will have your hips swaying and conversations playing.
Collect Award Winning Album Art!
Next Up
Attu Medicine Upcoming EP
Attu's music, although composed by a Tanzanian woman for Tanzanian women, carries a universal narrative and appeal. It evokes nostalgic memories of simpler times while also shedding light on social change and the challenges faced by women in Tanzania.
Attupele Geofrey was born in Iringa Tanzania in 1991 and started singing as a young girl to help cope with a challenging night blindness disability.
“Family and friends would say my voice healed them, made them feel good, it was their medicine,” comments Attu.
With this encouragement, she kept singing, and as a young adult adopted Attu Medicine as her stage name. Her path complicated when she became a young single mother. Despite the pressures, she believes that her vocal talents could be the bridge to better opportunities so she works her craft and will not give up on her aspirations.
Breaking into the music world with Mama Africa, Attu Medicine's Bongo Flava single dropped a smooth tune, making us eager to release whats next.
Thanks for Your Support
Voice of Maasai produces uplifting East African music through co-writes and collaborations. Connecting a global audience with emerging Maasai talent, we provide authentic and nuanced perspectives of Maasai life in the Savannah's, using music as a vehicle for social bonding.
For those who have downloaded our music, we hope it has brightened a day, lifted a spirit or two, or just made your ears ring with happiness. For those who have contributed monetarily, please feel a rush of pride that your dollars have supported our award winning music and helps to empower individuals. To those who have sent encouraging words, this is truly a gesture that pushes me forward when I feel slow. And for those who have taken the time to learn more, thank you, your inquiries fuel a brighter world.
Many thanks for being part of this journey - Ashe Naleng!
Jessey Jansen
Afraid of change, leave it here!
If you would like a printed copy of VOM 2024 Year End Recap with coloring sheet, please email Jessey@voiceofmaasai.com with your name & mailing address, I will be happy to send it along.