What You Need to Know
On March 20, 2026, Tanzanians celebrate Eid, with Kool & the Gang’s ‘Celebration’ as a festive favorite. The song’s upbeat rhythm and universal message of joy have made it a staple for various celebrations across Africa. Zuchu’s music reflects Kool & the Gang’s influence, showcasing the lasting impact of this iconic band.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. IT is Eid celebration across Tanzanian regions today, March 20, 2026, but there is no special song composed for this occasion this year.
However, Celebration by Kool & the Gang was a number one pick in the Eid El Fitr music menu and all other festive events.
It’s hard to overstate Kool& the Gang’s influence on African music through Celebration, as well as the artists that have been influenced by the band’s music ever since.
Noticeable or unnoticeable, there is Kool& the Gang influence in Zuchu’s majority hits since the band’s eponymous hit Celebration” is in the A Mixolydian mode in common time and moves at a tempo of 123 beats per minute while the group’s vocals span from A3 to E5.
“Celebration” by Kool & the Gang gained popularity in Tanzania due to its upbeat rhythm and universal message of joy and togetherness, making it a staple for celebrations and events across the continent.
The song’s catchy chorus, funky bassline and post-disco groove resonated with a wide audience, transcending cultural boundaries.
Alembic Bass Guitar, which Kool & the Gang’s bassist, Robert Kool, used to light up the band’s smash hits from Celebration, Get Down on It, to Ladies Night and Victory, had won the hearts of the band’s fans across the globe. Robert Kool preferred the Alembic bass at a time when most prominent bassists opted for the Fender Precision.
Still, his bass riffs were Wow,” noted Tanzanian guitar expert, David Nhigula.
A lady bassist simply known as Afande Vero was a major attraction when Air Jazz (Anga Anga) entertained the audience at Travellers Park Bar in Mbezi, Dar es Salaam, during Valentine’s music night.
Afande Vero, who efficiently thumbed her Badaax headless bass guitar when supporting lead guitarist Rashid Sumuni, said she enjoys playing bass guitar The presence of Afande Vero, whose name is Veronica Haule, was most intriguing as music didn’t involve women instrumentalists during its reign four decades ago.
“We use Gibson Epiphone as a rhythm guitar while Fender Precision guitar governs the bass section and this has been seen in many jazz bands too for over six decades,” she said.
“No Alembic bass at all, our music is solely a Fender-Gibson dominion, though you can see other guitar makes like Ibanez, Peavey or Yamaha on stage,” she adds.
“Celebration” became a go-to anthem for joyous occasions, from weddings and birthdays to graduations and family reunions, making it a symbol of happiness and unity.
From a mere syncopated lyrics styled in American rap, the young generation’s music, Bongo Flava, has grown considerably to become a powerful art that offers employment to countless youth.
Over thirty years since the Bongo Flava name was coined at Radio One Studio in 1994, the music of today’s generation has seen an inclusion of flavours from other parts of Africa, but Kool & the Gang’s Mixolydian mode approach helped to shape the type of Bongo Flava music we see today.
The band’s extensive touring and performances in Africa, along with their global commercial endorsements and charitable work, helped to solidify their presence and popularity on the continent.
The band’s music, including “Celebration”, has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and Library of Congress National Recording Registry, further solidifying their legacy.
“Celebration” is a 1980 song by American band Kool & the Gang. Released as the first single from their twelfth album, Celebrate! (1980), it was the band’s first and only single to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2016, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
In 2021, the Library of Congress selected “Celebration” for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”.
Co-founder Ronald Bell, the group’s saxophonist and musical arranger, explained the origins of the song.
The initial idea came from the Quran. I was reading the passage where God was creating Adam and the angels were celebrating and singing praises.
That inspired me to write the basic chords, the line, ‘Everyone around the world, come on, celebration.’ “Celebration” is in the A♭ Mixolydian mode in common time and was written as a collaboration by the whole band.
Kool & the Gang, formed in 1964, has significantly influenced global music, particularly in Africa. Their hit ‘Celebration’ became an anthem for joyous occasions, transcending cultural boundaries. The song’s catchy melody and positive message resonate with audiences, making it a popular choice for celebrations in Tanzania and beyond. Over the years, the evolution of Tanzanian music, particularly Bongo Flava, has incorporated various influences, including that of Kool & the Gang, showcasing the genre’s growth and diversity.
