When the sun begins its slow descent over Oyster Bay, 305 Karafuu transforms into one of the most distinct sound-and-dining spaces in Dar es Salaam. A boutique restaurant nestled in one of the city’s most upscale neighbourhood, Karafuu feels less like a restaurant and more like an art gallery that proudly serves Swahili cuisine. Its walls carry culture. Its guests carry stories. Its soundtrack—usually Jazz and timeless African rhythms—has become central to the venue’s identity.
This is where Baluza DJz made their mark.
A VENUE THAT EMBRACES DAR’S MUSIC CULTURE
305 Karafuu is not just a restaurant; it is a cultural checkpoint for the city’s curious. On any given evening, the space attracts a harmonious blend of locals, Rotarians, tourists, expatriates, and diplomats—people who appreciate good food and even better sound.
So when Baluza DJz stepped in on that Sunday, they weren’t just playing music. They were entering a room filled with people who know quality… and expect it.
And yet, the duo didn’t just fit in—they elevated the atmosphere.
WHO ARE BALUZA DJZ?
Hailing from Madale—a small, warm, unpretentious township in northern Dar es Salaam—Baluza DJz represent the artistic grit of village-boy creatives stepping boldly into the sophisticated circles of a big city.
The duo comprises:
Nasibu the Vibe — music producer, film producer, sound engineer, rapper, songwriter, and all-round creative powerhouse.
DJ Momo — music producer with sharp ears and impeccable groove instincts.
Together, they shape the Baluza sound: Amapiano, Afro House, Swahili House, Afrobeats, Deep House, and African electronic textures that carry identity and innovation.
And on this night, they became one of the very first DJs to weave AI-generated songs into a live Amapiano set.
THE SET THAT ANNOUNCED THEIR ARRIVAL
Baluza DJz began their three-hour set at exactly 4:00 PM—a golden hour for Karafuu.
For the first hour, they kept the energy smooth and atmospheric, playing chill Amapiano while seated. The vibe was mellow, sunlit, and intimate.
Then came hour two—the ignition point.
They stood up, adjusted the levels, and opened with Young Stunna’s “Adiwele”, instantly shifting the room’s temperature. The bass moved, the log drums punched, and Karafuu’s Sunday crowd felt the lift.
Even during high-energy moments—like the call-and-response of Biri Marung, which echoed across the venue around 18 minutes into the hype set—you could still hear the signature Karafuu background ambience: kids playing, families dining, guests laughing. It was a perfect blend of culture and sound.
WHEN BALUZA BROUGHT OUT AI MUSIC
Midway through the set came the unexpected highlight.
At around the 38th minute mark, Baluza DJz dropped an AI-generated Amapiano remix of the beloved Bongo Flava classic “Bush Party.” The reaction was immediate—heads turned, conversations paused, and some guests reached for their wallets.
A few customers walked over and tipped the duo, a gesture of appreciation and recognition. You see it clearly in the video: the nod, the gratitude, the connection.
Then, later in the hype section, they closed the energetic chapter with a second AI-powered reinterpretation—this time the classic “Ametoroshwa.”
After this surprise run, the duo returned to their seated position and finished the last hour with smooth, reflective Amapiano, easing the venue back into its relaxed Sunday rhythm.
WHAT THIS PERFORMANCE MEANT FOR BALUZA DJZ
This wasn’t just a gig.
It was a statement.
A statement that two creative sons of Madale can walk into one of Dar’s most culturally discerning venues and not just perform—but redefine what a Sunday at Karafuu could sound like.
A statement that AI is not the enemy of African music—it is a tool for experimentation, expansion, and cultural remixing.
A statement that Baluza DJz are not following trends…
They are building them.
Watch the Full Set
WHAT’S NEXT?
As Baluza Music builds its creative universe—from live sets to AI sonic explorations to Swahili electronic genres—the Karafuu performance stands as a defining early moment for the duo.
Baluza DJz have arrived.
And this is only the take-off.