Why Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny almost acquired Kenyan citizenship
Tanzanian Bongo artiste Rayvanny recently disclosed that a clash with the Tanzanian government prompted contemplation of acquiring Kenyan citizenship.
The revelation comes in the aftermath of a dispute following the release of his collaboration with Diamond Platinumz titled ‘Mwanza.’
Diamond and Rayvanny released the banger on November 10, 2018, only for it to be banned two days later by BASATA because of vulgar lyrics.
Diamond, Rayvanny, and Wasafi were also fined Tsh9 million (Ksh551,162.58) for defying the content production regulations set by Tanzania’s arts board Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA).
The ‘Number One’ hitmaker revealed that trouble ensued after the song faced censorship from the Tanzanian music regulatory board, Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA), leading to a ban on both artists from producing music in Tanzania.
Rayvanny, in a recent interview with Willy M Tuva, explained that there was so much pressure.
“Despite the ban, we still performed the song and we were stressed. At that point, Diamond gave me the idea of changing our citizenship to Kenyan, and we started the process. However, our government lifted the ban, halting our plans.”
Also read: Zuchu’s mother Khadija Kopa refuses to recognise Diamond in public
The Next Level Music President stated that they were compelled to issue a public apology to BASATA for disrespecting the regulatory body, which took place in December 2018 while they were in Kenya.
During this time, their song remained banned from airing on Tanzanian radio and TV stations.
“We later resolved the matter with the government and worked amicably,” Rayvanny added.
In June of this year, BASATA once again confronted the duo for performing the banned song, threatening to halt the Wasafi Festival tours.
However, they managed to resolve the matter, allowing the festivals to continue.
Despite the rocky journey, the Wasafi festivals have persisted, gaining attention across the region.
In May, 2022, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) banned, Zuchu’s song Mtasubiri on grounds that religious denominations were disrespected.
“In the video, there is a clip showing the two are singing in a church choir then goes somewhere else. That part has fuelled not-so good debate from certain religious people. [It] shows disrespect to certain religious denominations,” reads the statement signed by TCRA Director-General Jabiri Bakari.