Basata fines ‘Mwanza’ singer

Bongo Flava Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny, together with their record label Wasafi Classic, have been fined Tsh9 million by National Arts Council, Basata over their ‘dirty song’ ‘Mwanza’.

The fine slapped on the artistes and the record label follows a ban on the issued by Basata on Monday two days after the lyrically controversial song was banned.

The regulatory board deemed the song to be inappropriate for public consumption due to its explicit sexual content.

The heavy fine was made after Basata summoned Rayvanny on Tuesday – who featured Diamond on the song – to explain the reason behind the composition of the lyrics.

In its reasoning, Basata argued that both Rayvanny, Diamond and Wasafi Classic produced the song despite knowing that it was against Tanzanian moral compass.

Rayvanny, Diamond and Wasafi Classic will each be fined Tsh3 million for going against the law.

Speaking after a three hour meeting with Rayvanny, Basata boss Godfrey Mngereza said; “This song isn’t good at all. We even asked Rayvanny in the meeting if he can sing the lyrics of the song before his parents and his answer was no. This is a clear indication that even in the singer’s eyes, the song goes against the morals.”

Mngereza also declined Diamond’s request for the song to be allowed to air after the watershed period. According to Basata’s regulations artistes are supposed to submit songs before they are released, a guideline thatis rarely followed by most artistes.

But even as the watchdog maintained its stand the song is already popular in night clubs in Dar es Salaam.