Who is taking my money? Harmonize threatens to quit music industry
Showbiz
By
Fay Ngina
| Feb 22, 2023
Bongo Flava sensation, Harmonize, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the music industry and is currently on the lookout for new music distribution and publishing companies. Despite having multiple chart-topping hits in East Africa, the artiste claims that he has not earned any money from his music in nearly seven years. This has left him feeling disheartened and considering leaving the industry altogether if the situation does not improve.
In a series of Instagram stories, Harmonize claimed that he has never received any payment for the over 100 hit songs he has released in the past seven years, despite owning the master rights to his music. He expressed his frustration at not knowing who is collecting the money and urged those responsible to return it to him. He also stated that he has spent a lot of money trying to regain control of his master rights but is yet to receive any payment for his work.
"I know you can't believe this, but I have never collected 1 USD from publishing all the music that I have been dropping for over seven years. Over 100 hit songs remember. I own the master but I don't know who is collecting the money. I need them back, remember I have one daughter. I'm here for her future and I need good life too," wrote Harmonize.
In addition, Harmonize said he had been insulted and disrespected in the industry. He called out those responsible and warned them that they would not get away with it forever.
Harmonize, whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali, started his music career in 2011, but it wasn't until he was signed by Diamond Platnumz's record label, Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) in 2015, that he rose to fame.
Over the last seven years, Harmonize has released numerous hit songs that have topped the charts in Tanzania, East Africa, and beyond. He has collaborated with several other popular musicians from the region, including Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, and Burna Boy. In 2019, he launched his own music label, Konde Gang, and has continued to release more music under the label. He has won several awards for his music, including the MTV Africa Music Award for Best New Act in 2016, and the All Africa Music Awards for Best Male East Africa in 2019.