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Diamond, Rayvanny, Harmonize: Building Tanzania’s global music empire

What you need to know:
- Bongo Flava artistes are increasingly teaming up with global stars, blending sounds, styles, and cultures in ways that excite fans, spark creativity, and open doors to new opportunities.
Dar es Salaam. In today’s music scene, international collaborations are no longer a passing trend; they are game-changers.
Bongo Flava artistes are increasingly teaming up with global stars, blending sounds, styles, and cultures in ways that excite fans, spark creativity, and open doors to new opportunities.
Take Rayvanny’s hit Tetema. The song, which initially featured Diamond Platnumz, quickly dominated not only Tanzania but also spread across Africa and beyond.
Later versions included collaborations with Nigeria’s Patoranking, Zlatan, and eventually Colombian superstar Maluma in 2021, propelling the song to more than 56 million views worldwide.
Most recently, Rayvanny partnered with Indian artistes Nora Fatehi and Shreya Ghoshal, catapulting Tetema to the number-one spot globally for the most-viewed music video within 24 hours of release.
That single project shows the true potential of global partnerships. But Rayvanny is not alone.
Diamond Platnumz: The pioneer of cross-border sound
If there is one Tanzanian artiste who has consistently demonstrated the power of international collaboration, it is Diamond Platnumz.
Over the years, he has worked with a galaxy of stars, including Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, Omarion, Koffi Olomide, and Ne-Yo.
These features have not only positioned him as a global ambassador of Bongo Flava but also opened the floodgates for younger artistes to follow in his footsteps.
His collaboration with Ne-Yo on Marry You exposed Tanzanian music to the American mainstream, while Waka with Rick Ross became a continental anthem.
“Diamond created the blueprint,” says music producer Jay Drama.
“He showed that collaborations are not just about making music; they are about entering new markets, securing endorsements, and putting Tanzania on the global stage,” he added.
Harmonize: The risk-taker
Another artiste pushing boundaries is Harmonize. Known for his bold moves, Harmonize has worked with African stars such as Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Ghana’s Sarkodie, but has also tapped into European and American markets.
His collaboration with Burna Boy on Kainama became one of the most-streamed Bongo Flava songs globally.
More recently, his work with international producers and appearances at global festivals have expanded his fanbase.
According to DJ Chilly, Harmonize’s approach is about taking risks: “He experiments with sounds, languages, and even visuals. That risk-taking is what makes collaborations powerful; it shows that Tanzanian music is versatile and global-ready.”
Beyond fame: A growing industry
While artistes enjoy the spotlight, the benefits of global collaborations ripple through the entire industry.
Music video directors, choreographers, stylists, producers, and marketers all gain opportunities when a Tanzanian artiste breaks into an international market.
“Each collaboration creates jobs and opens up markets for Tanzanian creativity,” says artiste manager Godfrey Abel.
“When Diamond features Rick Ross, it’s not just about the music; it’s about Tanzanian video directors, stylists sourcing outfits, and dancers gaining global exposure,” added Mr Abel.
“It’s also about cultural pride. Every collaboration is a chance to showcase Tanzanian culture, the Swahili language, and our unique identity to the world,” he emphasised.
The challenges behind the curtain
But getting there is not easy; many artistes struggle to break into international networks.
Without proper funding, management, or strategic planning, even talented musicians remain local stars.
Artiste manager Dominic Ibrahim explains: “The biggest hurdles are access and professional teams. International features don’t just happen; you need negotiations, legal contracts, and sometimes millions of shillings to make it a reality.”
This explains why only a few Tanzanian artistes have consistently landed global features while others remain popular within East Africa or just regionally.
The future of Tanzanian music
Industry stakeholders agree that the future of Tanzanian music lies in embracing more international collaborations.
With streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Boomplay erasing borders in music, the stage is set for Tanzanian artistes to break into global charts.
As DJ Chilly puts it, “Global collaborations prove that Tanzanian music can speak a worldwide language, and the world is ready to listen.”
Rayvanny’s Tetema, Diamond’s Komasava, and Harmonize’s Single Again remix are just the beginning.
Each success story strengthens the case for Bongo Flava as Africa’s next big cultural export.