Wema Artist Bio

Wema are a five-piece collective – consisting of Tanzanian multi-instrumentalist Msafiri Zawose, American DJ and producer Photay and the members of the London-based band Penya – Magnus P.I, Lilli Elina and Jimmy le Messurier.

They debuted with the single WEMA SONG in March 2022, later releasing their eponymous album WEMA the following month. Influenced by traditional Tanzanian music, Afro-Latin rhythms and experimental electronic music, Wema is a representation of their diverse musical background.

Wema, meaning kindness or benevolence in Swahili, was formed during the 2020 Covid Lockdown, and their music was all created by the virtual exchange of beats and ideas completely over the internet.

WEMA is about connecting the dots between language, cultures and musical practices. Their message? “We want to create a sound and identity that transcends scenes, countries and borders.” Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.