Tanzanian Hip Hop Pioneer Zay B Dies

Tanzanian Bongo Hip Hop legend Zainab Lupangile, popularly known as Zay B, has died on the morning of May 31, 2026, following a short illness.

The pioneering rapper, celebrated for helping shape female rap in Tanzania’s early hip-hop scene, reportedly succumbed to stomach ulcers while receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam.

News of her death was confirmed by family members and fellow artists, including veteran rapper Juma Kasim, popularly known as Sir Nature.

“Umauti umemkuta asubuhi ya kuamkia leo. Mazishi yatafanyika saa 10 jioni Makaburi ya Kinyerezi njia ya kwenda kwa Ditopile,” the family said.

Born Zainab Lipangile, Zay B rose to prominence in the early 2000s, becoming one of the few prominent female voices in a male-dominated Tanzanian hip-hop industry.

She gained recognition for socially conscious rap and classic hits such as “Niko Gado” and “Mama Africa,” which cemented her place as one of the genre’s early female trailblazers.

Zay B is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Bongo Hip Hop, credited with opening doors for future generations of female artists in Tanzania’s music industry.

Her “old school” lyrical style, bold presence, and cultural influence helped define an era of East African hip-hop that continues to shape the industry today.