Harmonize warns artistes to sing in English or risk losing future audiences
By Steve Ireri, August 15, 2025Tanzanian music sensation Harmonize has issued a pointed warning to fellow artistes, cautioning that those who fail to incorporate English into their songs risk being ignored by a whole generation of listeners in the coming years.
In a message shared on his Instagram on Friday, August 15, 2025, Harmonize reflected on the true measure of success in the music industry.
He said that the greatest achievement for any artiste is ensuring that their music reaches people from all walks of life, including those living ordinary, everyday lives far from urban centres.
According to him, it is often easier for city audiences to access and share music because of strong social media networks, but genuine impact comes from reaching fans outside these circles.
“Success or the greatest measure of your art is to make sure that when you release a song, it reaches people like me, people living normal lives,” Harmonize emphasised.
He added that maintaining this connection with grassroots audiences is crucial because these fans form the backbone of a musician’s enduring influence.
“As your career grows, it becomes easier to reach city audiences because you are connected through social networks, but real impact comes from touching the lives of those beyond these circles,” he added.
Harmonize went on to celebrate the release of his latest hit, describing it as another international hit that made his day.
He said the song exemplifies how artists can mix languages and styles while still creating music that resonates deeply with listeners.
Highlighting his track Lala, Harmonize encouraged artistes to embrace creative blends that combine English with local languages to expand their reach and maintain relevance.
“This video made my day because it is another international hit. We must continue blending languages carefully, one condition: no English, no competition. Trust me, if you do not sing in English in the next five years, you will not be heard by the new generation,” he added.
The artiste also pointed out that the music industry is rapidly evolving and that artists who fail to adapt could quickly fall behind.
He used the metaphor of “separating oil from water” to describe the growing divide between musicians who strategically include English in their work and those who do not.
Harmonize warned that without at least some English in songs, artistes risk losing touch with younger audiences who are increasingly exposed to global trends.
“Be proud of mixing languages creatively, like in my song ‘Lala’,” Harmonize said.
He also reminded his peers that reaching beyond urban fans is not a measure of abandoning authenticity, but rather an opportunity to connect with a broader, more diverse fan base.
“When you release a song, it reaches people like me, ordinary people living everyday lives. real impact comes from touching the lives of those beyond these circles,” he added.