The most internationally famous form of music from Zanzibar (one half of Tanzania with Tanganyika) is taarab, which was invented by the Kiswahili Muslim minority. Taarab is played by a string using Egyptian, Indian, salsa and soukous.

Other forms of music include ngoma and muziki wa dansi. Tanzanian hip hop music is also popular, especially rappers like Dola Soul and Mr. II.