Diamond Platnumz and Rayvanny fined Tsh9 million after ‘Mwanza’ song ban.
Tanzanian music stars Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny and their record label Wasafi have been fined Tsh9 million (Ksh406, 000) for defying the content production regulations set by Tanzania’s arts board Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA).
The singers were fined for releasing sexually-explicit content in their new song ‘Mwanza’, which is alleged to encourage homosexuality through the song’s lyrics.
‘Mwanza’ which released on Saturday 10th November 2018, was banned from playing on radio and TV stations as well as from being performed in Tanzania on Monday. The song is still on YouTube and is trending in Kenya with over 1.9 million views.
BASATA had summoned BET Award-winning artist Rayvanny on Tuesday to explain the lyrics. The regulation body declined Diamond’s request for the song to be allowed to air after the watershed period. The singers have been advised to re-edit the song or let it die altogether.
In its reasoning, BATASA argued that both Rayvanny, Diamond and Wasafi Classic produced the song despite knowing it was against Tanzanian laws which protect the morals of the country.
This is not the first time the ‘Jibebe’ hitmaker has had trouble with Tanzanian authorities. Last year, two of his songs, “Waka Waka” featuring American rapper Rick Ross and “Hallelujah” featuring Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage were banned for the allegedly obscene images in the video.
