About

#TAGLINE

A unique fusion of traditional taarab & female empowerment from the magical island of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean.  

#SHORT BIOGRAPHY 

Rooted in a mystic Island in the Indian Ocean, carrying influences from ancient Arab, Turkish, Indian and African musical traditions whilst fusing them with contemporary music from Jazz to Funk to Reggae and beyond, Siti & The Band are the rising stars from the East African region presenting a virtuous live show sparked with female centered empowering messages. 

With her dazzling stage outfits, the lead singer Siti Amina appears like a queen reminiscing ancient times and captivating the audience. The band’s exotic instruments and musical arrangements combine to create an extraordinary and one of a kind concert experience.

#SITIANDTHEBAND

Siti & The Band are the rising stars of Taarab, an East African music style that combines elements of Arabic, Indian and African music. Their virtuoso live shows are enriched with powerful messages from lead singer Siti Amina, who makes her voice heard in the religiously conservative and male-dominated society of the island of Zanzibar. She fights for equal rights, self-determination and emancipation for women.

“So, I got married. I had my first child. My husband told me he’d support me as a musician, but when our child was grown enough to let me go back to singing, he simply said no. ‘No,’ he said. ‘You are my wife. I own you. You have to do what I like.“ Siti Amina

Drawing from this experience, which ended with her divorcing her husband, Siti Amina translates her challenges and traumas into powerful songs and stage performances, evoking deep emotions and moments of togetherness when she raises her fist on stage, uniting the audience for mesmerizing moments of change. In this sense, she also channels the spirit of Taarab legend Siti Binti Saad, a Zanzibari woman who rose to international fame as the first woman from East Africa to record her music in the 1920’s, breaking with the taboo of female lead singers in Taarab ensembles. Discarding her birth name for the more honorable “Siti,” she defied social norms by performing veiled for royal crowds, boldly protesting class oppression and domestic violence through her music.

#ALBUMRELEASETOUR

Siti & The Band’s debut album, Fusing the Roots, was released to rave reviews in 2018; followed by extensive touring on the African continent. Followed by several single releases, spanning collaborations from Kenya to South Africa and beyond, while also collaboration with some of the top acts from the Dar es Salaam music scene, keeping the music connected to young audiences, leading the way in inspiring the upcoming generation and keeping their roots vibrant.

“When you talk about Zanzibari women,” Siti Amina asserts, “It’s the women who have made our unique island famous, it’s the women who are our culture bearers, and we should, of course, be proud.” Siti Amina

Keeping the cultural heritage of the mystical island alive, the fusion of traditional instruments with East African rhythms and traditional folk melodies sent Siti & The Band down a soulful, experimental path, pairing virtuoso musicality with exciting new sounds. With her dazzling stage outfits, Siti Amina appears like a queen reminiscing ancient times and captivating the audience. The band’s exotic instruments and musical arrangements combine to create an extraordinary and one of a kind concert experience. 

With appearances at the International Jazz Day, MIDEM, Visa for Music in Morocco, Felabration in Nigeria, the Indian Ocean Music Market in La Reunion, ACCESS Music in Africa Conference in Kenya, Capital Nights in Sudan, Moshito & Music Imbizo Music Conference in South Africa and Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar amongst others. Siti & The Band is now getting ready for their first European Tour playing Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Austria in May/June 2022.