Born in 1976 in the Kagera Region of Tanzania, Saida Karoli is celebrated as a "traditionalist" singer. Her music is deeply rooted in Ngoma music and Bongo Flava, characterized by her natural, mellow vocals and hypnotic rhythms. While she sings primarily in her native Haya language, she masterfully incorporates Swahili to reach a wider audience. Her timeless appeal even led to her classic song "Maria Salome" being reworked by megastar Diamond Platnumz in 2016.