Nandy fires back after critic tells off Rayvanny for performing at her festival
By Steve Ireri, July 26, 2026Tanzanian singer Nandy has hit back at Suma Mnazaleth after he criticised Rayvanny’s appearance at the Nandy Festival, questioning why the former artiste no longer makes music but has instead turned his attention to analysing the careers of others.
In an Instagram post on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Nandy expressed her frustration with what she described as repeated criticism of Rayvanny and her festival, saying she had initially chosen to remain silent despite seeing the conversations circulating online.
“This is the second time you have talked about Rayvanny and the Nandy Festival. I have remained silent, not because I do not see it, no, but because I have let you have your moment by entertaining other people,” Nandy said.
The singer defended Rayvanny’s inclusion in the festival, arguing that artistes supporting and appearing at one another’s events is a normal and important part of the music industry.
“First of all, all festivals around the world must have artistes supporting artistes. It is a very big thing to have an artiste like Rayvanny at the Nandy Festival, and we respect that very much because he is a big artiste both inside and outside the country,” she said.
Nandy questioned why Suma would seek to diminish Rayvanny’s status through what she described as foolish criticism, warning that such attacks could discourage artistes from supporting one another.
“So, belittling someone with foolish praise is not right. Do you want us artistes to stop supporting one another because there are people who will sit down and analyse it? What are you creating for us as artistes?” she asked.
She also questioned whether artistes were expected to support one another only when performing in European venues, arguing that successful musicians should be free to perform in their home country without having their achievements questioned.
“Are we supposed to support one another only in venues in Europe? How do you look at things? Do you think life has become so difficult for you that you cannot even think?” Nandy said.
International recognition
The singer further challenged the notion that an artiste who has achieved international recognition should stop performing locally, saying such a standard would mean no Tanzanian artiste had truly succeeded beyond the country’s borders.
“So, a global artiste does not perform shows at home? If being a global artiste means you do not perform locally, then no Tanzanian artiste has made it outside the country,” she said.
Nandy pointed out that artistes continue to travel to different parts of Tanzania to perform and earn a living, arguing that there should be nothing embarrassing about successful musicians taking local shows.
“As we speak, people are busy with their vans travelling to venues in the regions to make a living,” she said.
She called for greater respect for the music industry and the people working in it, warning against criticism that could create divisions among artistes.
“Music should be respected and the artiste should be respected. The harm you want to cause is not right,” Nandy said.
She further urged Suma to allow artistes to work peacefully and pursue their careers without unnecessary provocation or attempts to influence fans against one another.
“Let a person work in peace and push their music in peace. Stop this foolish provocation. Stop forcing fans to believe in something that does not exist. For what benefit?” she asked.
Suma’s career
Nandy then turned her attention directly to Suma’s career, questioning why he had stopped singing and instead focused on analysing the lives of other people.
“Were you not a musician? How come you do not sing anymore but now you analyse people’s lives?” she asked.
She went on to suggest that Suma’s current position was linked to his failure to continue developing himself, challenging him to examine his own journey and allow others to learn from the mistakes he may have made.
“The fact that you have reached where you are means you failed to develop yourself. Now, if you have failed, why do you see the weaknesses of others? Why do you not analyse your own life so that we can learn from you and avoid the mistakes you made that brought you to where you are now? So that we can see that you genuinely want good things for music? Stop that, bro. Sycophancy is not a good thing. Do it for your own benefit and for your people, not by hurting others,” she said.
Nandy also took issue with Suma’s apparent reference to seeing her at the Nandy Festival, challenging him to consider whether he truly understood the scale and significance of the event before criticising it.
“And then you say, ‘I saw Nandy at the Nandy Festival’. You, you, you! Do you really know the Nandy Festival? This is a festival in the country and, this year, it is the only festival that is live. It is a festival organised by a woman, and that woman is me,” Nandy said.
The singer challenged Suma to look beyond what is shared online and understand the work that takes place behind the scenes when organising a major festival.
“Do you know how to organise a festival? It is not just what you see online. Do you know how many people have got jobs through this festival? Or do you think it is easy?” she asked.
