After being turned down by his musical rival Ali Kiba and former Wasafi label signee Harmonize, popular Bongo flava star Diamond Platnumz has found a replacement for the two artists at the upcoming Wasafi Festival.
Revealing the two performers on his Instagram page, Diamond named Africa’s most sought after stars; Tiwa Savage and Wizkid, as Ali Kiba and Harmonize's apparent replacement.
Juma Jux, Ferooz, Sholo Mwamba, TID, Rayvanny, Innoss’B Professor Jay, Amber Lulu, Gigi Money just to name a few, are among other stars in the roster set to grace the festival scheduled to take place in Dar es saalam over the weekend.
Wasafi Festival invite
First occasioned by rejection from his longtime ally Harmonize, the last straw on Diamond's back was the resounding 'No' from his music rival Ali Kiba to perform at his Wasafi Festival.
“Na kama unavyo jua anakuwa (Harmonize) na ratiba tofauti lakini lakini agenda yetu na furaha yetu ni kuwa agenda yake itakua flexible naye awepo. Boss Tale alikuwa Marekani alinipigia simu kuniomba Ali pia awepo," said Diamond during Wasafi Festivall press conference.
Surprisingly, Ali kiba responded to Diamond's public invitation by warning the Tetema crooner and his team to leave him alone.
“Mwanaume huwa anaongeaga mara moja tu sasa ukitaka nikuweke uchi watu wajue unayonifanyia hata kwenye hilo tamasha hatokuja mtu sasa tuishie hapo nakutakia tamasha njema,” wrote Ali kiba.
With it, Diamond’s manager Babu Tale read the writing on the wall.
“Amesema unikome, na mimi nimemkoma, hata kumzungumzia, tumemkoma,” said Babu Tale.
Is silence an answer?
Harmonize on his part, just like the previous Wasafi Festival, has not expressly spoken about on his stand when it comes to joining his former employer in celebrating the diverse music culture at the Wasafi Festival.
“The advantage or blessing of WCB is that we are overly booked. For example I’m going back on Monday. Tuesday I have a show in Uganda, Saturday I have a show in Mwanza, Sunday I have a show in Burundi, so we have different shows and getting us together is difficult, said Harmonize on missing the previous Wasafi Festival.
His exit from the Wasafi record label has however cost him an arm and a leg as he parted ways with three houses and other valuables to take back ownership of his name and work.
“Mkataba wangu ulikuwa unanitaka nilipe shilingi milioni 500 kama nikiondoka ili niweze kupata hakimiliki ya jina langu pamoja na nyimbo zangu. Hivyo sikuwa na hela kabisa. Nimeuza nyumba zangu tatu na baadhi ya mali, deni limebaki kidogo,” he said.
The singer has since started his own record label.
