About Kili Studio
Born from a passion for sound and a vision to elevate East African music to the global stage.
From a Dream to East Africa's Premier Studio
Kili Studio was founded in 2010 by James Mwakasege with a simple but ambitious goal: to build a recording facility in Tanzania that could rival any studio in the world. After training at SAE Institute and apprenticing under Grammy-winning engineers abroad, James returned home determined to prove that world-class production does not require leaving the continent.
Starting with a single room and a handful of equipment, Kili Studio quickly earned a reputation for exceptional quality and a collaborative atmosphere. Word spread through the music community, and within a few years, the studio became the go-to destination for Tanzania's biggest names in Bongo Flava, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Gospel.
Today, Kili Studio operates three acoustically treated rooms with industry-standard equipment, employs a team of five talented engineers and producers, and has contributed to over 500 released tracks. We have mixed for chart-topping artists, produced award-winning albums, and helped launch the careers of countless emerging musicians.
But our mission remains the same: to elevate East African sound to the highest international standards, one session at a time.
What Drives Us
Quality
Every project receives our full attention and highest standards, regardless of budget or genre.
Collaboration
We work with artists, not for them. Your vision drives every decision we make in the studio.
Innovation
We embrace new technology and techniques while respecting the fundamentals of great sound.
Community
We invest in emerging talent and contribute to the growth of East Africa's music ecosystem.
Meet Our Engineers
A passionate team of audio professionals dedicated to making your music sound its absolute best.
James Mwakasege
Founder & Head Engineer
With over 15 years in audio engineering, James founded Kili Studio to bring world-class production to East Africa. Trained at SAE Institute and mentored under Grammy-winning engineers, he has mixed and mastered over 500 tracks spanning Bongo Flava, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Gospel. His philosophy centers on preserving the artist's vision while pushing sonic boundaries.
Amina Rashid
Senior Recording Engineer
Amina is a classically trained musician turned audio engineer with a decade of studio experience. She specializes in vocal recording and live band sessions, known for her meticulous mic placement and ability to make artists feel comfortable behind the microphone. She has worked with some of Tanzania's biggest names in music.
Daniel Kimaro
Mix Engineer & Producer
Daniel brings a modern, genre-fluid approach to mixing and production. Specializing in Hip-Hop, Electronic, and Afro-fusion, he combines analog warmth with digital precision. His beats and mixes have accumulated over 50 million streams across platforms. He also leads our beat-making and production workshops.
Grace Mushi
Podcast & Voiceover Producer
Grace heads our spoken-word division, bringing broadcast journalism experience to podcast and voiceover production. She has produced over 200 podcast episodes for clients across East Africa and manages every aspect from script review to distribution. Her attention to detail and storytelling instincts make every project shine.
Kelvin Massawe
Studio Manager & Assistant Engineer
Kelvin keeps Kili Studio running smoothly while developing his skills as an assistant engineer. He manages scheduling, client relations, and studio maintenance. Artists love working with Kelvin for his positive energy and dedication to making every session productive and enjoyable.
Industry-Standard Equipment
Our studio is equipped with the same tools used in the world's top recording facilities. From vintage analog hardware to cutting-edge digital systems, we have everything needed to capture and shape your sound.
- Pro Tools HD | Logic Pro X | Ableton Live
- Neumann U87, AKG C414, Shure SM7B Microphones
- Universal Audio, Neve, SSL Preamps & Processing
- Adam Audio S3V & Yamaha NS-10 Monitors
- Extensive plugin collection (UAD, Waves, FabFilter)
Ready to Work With Us?
Book a session or schedule a studio tour to see our facilities in person.