‘A witchdoctor said my star has been stolen,’ Jay Melody quits music
Tanzanian recording and performing artist Sharif Said Juma, popularly known as Jay Melody, has dropped a bombshell on his fans by revealing that he’s quitting his musical career for the second time.
The ‘Nampenda’ hitmaker took to his Instagram stories to share the surprising announcement, simply stating, “I quit music,” leaving his fans and followers with more questions than answers.
This isn’t the first time Jay Melody has taken such a drastic step. Previously, in 2019, he halted his music production for over a year.
During this period, he worked in construction (mjengo) due to financial constraints following the death of his mentor, the late Ruge Mutahaba.
Jay Melody’s journey into the music industry faced initial hurdles when he was rejected thrice by the Tanzania House of Talent.
He eventually found his breakthrough after randomly signing up for an audition.
In 2021, Jay Melody made headlines when he disclosed visiting a witch doctor to seek ways of boosting his audience and gaining prominence in the entertainment scene.
“Nishaifikiria na of course nimewahi kuenda, Si uwongo. Niliambiwa kuna kitu hakiko sawa. Nyota zako zinachezewa.
(I thought about it and of course, I’ve been there [to a witch doctor’s den], It’s not a lie. I was told something was wrong with my star [fortune and success]),” he said.
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In the hopes of turning his fortunes around, he opted to visit the witch doctor.
“Mambo ni mengi pale. Nilikaa kama mwezi. Ilikua ni vitu vingi. Ilikua ni kama program, dawa. kuoga, nenda huku nenda huko
(There were a lot of things and activities I did there. I stayed for like a month. It was like a program, medicine, bathing, going here and there…),” he said.
The artist’s decision to quit music comes amid a wave of similar announcements from other international musicians.
Notably, Puerto Rican reggaeton star Daddy Yankee revealed his departure from music to devote his life to Christianity. At the same time, Canadian singer Drake temporarily stepped back to address health concerns and focus on family responsibilities.
Jay Melody, who initially believed that success in Tanzania’s music industry required business connections, began his musical journey as a songwriter.
He contributed to songs like ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Njiwa’ for Willy Paul, and ‘Ndata’ for Nadia Mukami.
“People started knowing me as a songwriter first. I have done songs like, Hallelujah, Njiwa for Willy Paul, and Ndata for Nadia Mukami,” he said in a previous interview.