Rayvanny, Diamond respond after collabo ‘Mwanza’ is banned
By THOMAS MATIKOTanzanian musicians Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny have responded to Tanzania music regulatory body Basata following its decision to ban their latest collabo ‘Mwanza’ released three days ago.
Basata banned the song on Monday terming inapproparite for public consumption due to its explicit sexual content.
The song has been a big hit on YouTube in Tanzania.
The regulatory body argued that the song’s lyrics were dirty as they only centered on sex and not entertainment.
“Basata limeufungia rasmi leo tarehe 12/11/2018 wimbo unaojulikana kwa jina la ‘Mwanza’ ulioimbwa na msanii Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa maarufu kama Rayvanny akimshirikisha Msanii Naseeb Abdul maarufu kama Diamond Platinumz kutokana na ukiukwaji mkubwa wa maadili ya KItanzania kwa kutumia maneno yanyohamasisha ngono,” read part of its press statement.
But responding to the ban, Rayvanny, who is currently in Nairobi for Coke Studio 2019 recording, defended the song by saying it was meant to console families of the 131 people who died in a boat tragedy in Lake Victoria in September.
The boat was heading towards Mwanza.
In a long statement, Rayvanny argued that whereas Basata perceived the lyrics to the song to be explicit, it was just but a figure of speech meant to console the victims who perished.
“Taarifa za kufungiwa kwa wimbo wangu nimezipata. Lakini katika hili nina haya machache yakusema… Kwa nini Mwanza. Tungeweza kuuita huu wimbo jina jingine lolote Mbeya, Kigoma au mkoa wowote tofauti…. Ikumbukwe siku chache zilizopita kumetokea maafa makubwa yaliyowakuta ndugu wenzetu wa Mwanza. Tuwafanyie kitu gani ikiwa ni sehemu ya faraja yao..” Rayvanny explained.
‘Mwanza’ becomes the third song from Wasafi stable to be banned by Basata. In January, the regulatory body banned Diamond’s ‘Hallelujah’ featuring Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage and ‘Waka Waka’ featuring American Rick Ross for being indecent and going against the morals of the country.