How the battle for supremacy between Bongo musical giants Alikiba and Diamond is transforming TZ showbiz

ALIKIBA

P: Describe yourself?

AK: I am the best that was and still is.

P: What of Diamond?

AK: He is musician like any other. The truth is, I am part of his success owing to the fact that I gave him a chance to record his debut single at Sharobaro Studio where I was the president. My producer Bob Junior called me while on American tour to seek my permission considering no one knew him at the time.

P: Given a chance would you work with him?

AK: It depends on what he has to offer. If it’s good and mature music then I have no problem.

P: Are you a fan of his songs?

AK: I love good music ... but that does not mean that I am a fan of Diamond.

P: Between the two of you who rocks?

AK: The fact that I became the first artiste in Tanzania to be honored as the most influential musician by President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete for my valuable contribution to Tanzanian Music and Arts and Culture and equally being voted as the most popular artiste; top selling in East Africa in 2011 speaks for itself.

P: What is your relationship with Diamond?

AK: We are not friends and neither are we on bad terms. We have different characters in short. I only get irritated when people compare me to him.

P: Are you in touch?

AK: Let’s just say that there was a time I had his number but not anymore.

P: Would you date his ex-girlfriend?

AK: Never... I don’t know about him.

DIAMOND

P: Describe yourself?

D: I am a legend in the making. My rivals will always remain in their position as I am happy to be in front of them.

P: What of Alikiba?

D: He is one person who has been in the music industry for a while. We have nothing in common apart from an artistic platform.

P: Given a chance would you work with him?

D: I would rather not talk about it now but it could be a talk for another day.

P: Are you a fan of his songs?

D: I support excellent music and quality videos. That is the reason I work with an international television station (name withheld) to evaluate the quality of music videos sent to the channel by artistes from Tanzania; if I approve of their quality, they are played; if I don’t they aren’t.

P: Between the two of you who rocks?

D: By now you are already aware that my music has achieved international recognition. There is no doubt that I made history by winning Best Live Act during last year Mama Awards of which I had been nominated in three categories- Best Male and Collaboration. It only shows that Tanzania’s Bongo music has come of age.

P: What is your relationship with Alikiba?

D: I do not and never have had any beef with him. I don’t see any problem between us considering that we have a different fan base and preferences in terms of music. Unhealthy and petty competition only ends up destroying our industry.

P: Are you in touch?

D: Only when duty calls.

P: Would you date his ex girlfriend?

D: That’s an insult. Like I said we have nothing in common except for musical platform.