Harmonize: The millions I have been forced to pay Diamond’s Wasafi

Tanzania’s Harmonize says he paid Diamond Platnumz’s WCB Tsh500 million (Ksh22.5 million) to be allowed to leave the company.

The 25-year-old artiste told Clouds FM that his contract with Wasafi demanded that should he leave the outfit before his 15-year-agreement with the label ends, then he will be required to pay the firm Ksh22.5 million.

Harmonize said he had to sell his three houses and other properties to raise the money.

“It is no longer a secret that I am not in good terms with the WCB management. I wouldn’t want to lie that all is well,” Harmonize said on Clouds FM’s XXL Show on Thursday, October 24.

“I, however, want to thank them [WCB] for helping me build my brand. I won’t discuss publicly the specific issues that led to my fall-out with them. Currently I am not signed under any record label, and would continue producing songs as an independent musician,” said Harmonize.

“My contract with WCB stipulated that I pay them Tsh500 million to be allowed to leave the company if my 15-year agreement with them hasn’t ended. That money, the contract said, would allow me to own the copyrights to my name and music produced under the Wasafi outfit,” said Harmonize.

“I did not have the money, when I decided to leave WCB [in August this year], and therefore, I had to sell my three houses, several possessions to raise the needed Tsh500 million. As I am speaking to you, what I owe them is very little,” he said.

In mid-August 2019, Sallam Sharaf, the manager of Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz, said Harmonize had written a formal letter to WCB management saying he wanted to terminate his contract with the record company.

Speaking on Wasafi FM, Sharaf said Harmonize, who had been with Wasafi for four years, began secluding himself from the rest of the WCB team in December 2018.

According to the manager, Harmonize opted for a personal means of transport to Mwanza in 2018 for the Wasafi Festival instead of the Wasafi crew’s bus.

“Harmonize’s 2018 move went against our WCB unwritten rules of operation. Wasafi Festival was meant to show a united WCB team to our fans. When handling our shows, we do not want to create factions. It is not like Diamond and Rayvanny were not in a position to travel using their own means. What Harmonize showed was disrespect to the WCB family,” said Sharaf.

“Harmonize has already written a letter addressed to the WCB management saying he wants to end his 15-year contract with the label. He has followed the due process, [and it is only a matter of days when he should be out]. We welcome his decision. Maybe he sat down and thought there are many things he can achieve on his own.”

Harmonize co-owns a production company called Zoom Productions with Diamond Platnumz.

Sharaf said since the two artistes formed the company on their own terms without a legal connection to WCB, Harmonize and Diamond will see how they will run the business.

“These two people have not disagreed. I am sure they’ll continue working together,” said Sharaf.

Rumours were rife on social media that Harmonize was dissatisfied at WCB, and had decided to ditch the record label.

According to sources, Harmonize, alias Konde Boy, felt his brand had grown too big to be contained under the shadow of Diamond Platnumz.

It was reported that the musician, who has been booked for shows until December, put up his own record label in Sinza, Dar es Salaam.