Tanzania Hip Hop Artist Langa Has Passed Away

                            The late Langa Kileo        Image: Courtesy

The Tanzanian music industry has taken yet another hit after one of their own, Langa Kileo, passed away last night.

He is said to have been rushed to the Muhimbili hospital where he died at around 10pm on Thursday.

Langa was a hip hop artist whose talent was brought to the light in the Cocacola popstars talent search back in 2004.

He was a member of the group ‘Wakilisha’, which also comprised of Sarah Kaisi and Witness Mwaijaga, which won the Cocacola popstars competition in 2004. Two hits and one year later, the group separated, each to pursue their personal interests.

Langa dropped his first single ‘Matawi ya juu’, which was so explicit, it became one of the first songs to be censored in Tanzania.

But as it would seem to be a common predicament for many music artists, Langa fell into the drug habit that altered the course of his life.

His trials and tribulations while trying to kick the habit was publicly documented and his fight served to inspire and encourage many drug users.

According to sources, Langa chose to break the silence on drug abuse in Tanzania. He raised awareness on the stigma facing drug users which only served to drive the users back to the destructive habit.

Tapping from his experience, Langa registered his own foundation called “Second Chance for African Addicts” and even released a song titled ‘Kifo’, to warn people of the dangers associated with drug use.

He was planning to build a rehab center with all the proper facilities and qualified counselors, an aspect that is lacking in many rehab centers in Tanzania.

Society has lost a good soldier and he will be remembered by many.

Rest In Peace Langa