Musician Ally Choki rejoins Twanga Pepeta troupe

01Nov 2021
Sabato Kasika
Dar es Salaam
Entertainment
The Guardian
Musician Ally Choki rejoins Twanga Pepeta troupe

PROMINENT dance musician, Ally Choki, is no stranger to Tanzanian music lovers' ears, he has long held sway in the dance music scene in East Africa through his compositions and singing.

Prominent dance musician, Ally Choki, in action during a recent show, which was staged by Morogoro's Waluguru Original Band. PHOTO: CORRESPONDENT SABATO KASIKA

His background in music officially started in 1988, when he joined the band, Lola Africa.

Choki, a singer/songwriter, recently stated he is tired of entertaining short stints with music troupes and, instead, he has now decided to settle with African Stars Band,  alias 'Twanga Pepeta', a troupe he had successfully served for many years.

The singer noted he is getting old and it is time to settle in one place.

Choki cited the reason for settling in the band as the need to get a chance to stay close to his family.

“My last band was Mwanza's Super Kamanyola, when I came back I decided to stay without a band thinking about how to develop my talent and now I have decided to settle down,” Choki revealed.

He, at one point, left Twanga Pepeta and then returned to the troupe and has said he does not expect to do so again, stressing he hopes to retire from music at the troupe.

He stated that he has, several times, tried to bring his previous troupe, Extra Bongo Band, back but unfortunately, he was not successful.

Choki disclosed he has seen he should accept he cannot do so, adding that one who does not accept defeat is not a competitor.

In 1999, Choki returned to Tanzania after a short stint in one of the East African countries and joined Twanga Pepeta, a troupe he served for several years.

The artist then felt he ought to work independently via setting up his band, Extra Bongo.

The troupe, under Choki's leadership, brought forth several talented musicians, including Khalid Chuma, Greyson Semsekwa, Abdallah 'Dulla Ngoma', and Saul John, and dancers.

Choki managed to turn Extra Bongo into a serious competitor in the genre's scene, successfully challenging established troupes like Twanga Pepeta and experienced bands.

Extra Bongo came up with popular compositions that include 'Mtenda Akitendewa', 'Extra Bongo 3x3', 'Regina', 'Double Double', and 'Mjini Mipango', which won it lots of supporters.

However, the troupe lasted for a few years, Choki decided to return to Twanga Pepeta, then left again and resorted to bringing Extra Bongo back but it did not last long, he returned to Twanga Pepeta.

He left the troupe and joined the Mwanza-based Super Kamanyola, after his contract expired, he returned to Dar es Salaam and stayed for a long time without working for any of the troupes and has now decided to return to Twanga Pepeta.

“I tried very hard to expand the scope of employment for young people, especially in the music industry, but those efforts did not bear fruit and I am also getting older, so I don't see why I should force something that I feel has failed,” he asserted.

He also disclosed that the presence of many dance music bands has helped to increase employment and also to develop many talents, but he noted that many bands have collapsed and caused unemployment.

“Generally, I have settled with Twanga Pepeta and I am in the process of releasing a new song that we are still working on and, when it is ready, I will incorporate with the fans to give it a title,'' he revealed.

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