From grass to grace and grass again: the short story of Harmonize

WCB signing Harmonize may be one artiste that has activated a self-destruction mode in his musical career.

Harmonize whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali was born in Mtwara to parents of modest means and he grew up waiting for a major musical breakthrough.

But just like all good things, success did not come until 2015 when high-flying Bongo artiste Diamond Platnumz decided to rescue Harmonize from despondency. Before then,Harmonize had recorded some songs from 2011 but they seamed not to see the light of day.

Under new management and spot-light, the embattled Bongo musician is said to have gotten a major boost with his single Aiyola under WCB.

Major engagements would later follow with key highlights being collaborations with Diamond in the songs Bado, Kwangwaru and Zilipendwa which became street anthems.

Proud and arrogant

With the fame and popularity Harmonize was getting, pride seems to have set in, and the 28 year old musician is also reported to have started consuming bhang.

A fallout with the musician’s manager, Joel Vincent became one of the hallmarks of the strained relationships Harmonize had developed that was now threatening his musical career.

Fallout with Manager

Speaking to BBC, Vincent said ”Niliketi chini na Diamond Platinumz na kumuelezea yaliojiri na tukakubaliana kwamba sitaendelea kusimamia tena muziki wa Harmonize,” ( I sat down with Diamond Platnumz and explained to him what happened (between me and Harmonize) and we agreed that I won’t be managing the artiste ever again.)

Vincent remarked that the artiste was obviously stunned by wealth and fame that has come his way given that he comes from a poor background.

Arrested for Smoking bhang

The Bongo artiste has been on a rough path in his career with the latest slur being his imminent prosecution due to suspicion of smoking a banned substance.

“Nimeona mtu mmoja yuko kule Ghana, ule moshi unavyotoka nikama wa bangi. Kama atakuwa anatumia bangi akifika hapa itakuwa ni lock-up moja kwa moja, said Dar es-Salaam regional Police commander, Mr Paul Makonda

“Na kwa bahati mbaya mimi namlea, na huwezi kuwa unataka kuibeba image ya Tanzania na sisi tunapambana na dawa za kulevya alafu wewe unatumia, jela itakuwa sehemu ya kumfunza adabu,” Makonda added.

Assaulted journalists

Early February as the troubled musician went to record a statement with the police following a picture police suspected was Harmonize smoking bhang in Ghana, the artiste is said to have assaulted journalists who came to videotape his predicament.

About how his downfall will come, only time will tell. Meanwhile, one would be forced to remove their shoes to count just how many Bongo artistes have been on the treacherous windy road before. Mr Nice, Mr Blue and even Ray C are some of the notable names.

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