Harmonize (musician)

Rajabu Abdul Kahali (born 15 March 1990), popularly known by his artist name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava musician and music entrepeneur. Also sometimes referred to as Konde Boy, Jeshi, Tembo, Mbunge, Konde-Mabeyo.[1][2][3] He is well known for his songs "Kwa Ngwaru",[4] featuring Diamond Platnumz, and "Show Me" featuring Rich Mavoko.[5] In 2017 MTV Base included him in their African edition of "Ones to Watch for 2017".[6] He was the first artist to sign a recording contract with Diamond Platnumz WCB Wasafi label.,[7] and has since gone on to found his own record label, Konde Music Worldwide, in what some have seen as a bid to diversify the Tanzanian music industry.[8]

Spouse to Sarah Michelotti
Rajabu Abdul Kahali
Background information
Birth nameRajab Abdul Kahali
Also known asHarmonize
Born (1990-03-15) 15 March 1990
Mtwara, Tanzania
OriginMtwara, Tanzania
GenresBongo flava, afro-pop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, dancer
InstrumentsVocals, piano, guitar, drums
Years active2011–present
LabelsKonde Music Worldwide
Associated actsBill Nass, Diamond Platnumz, Mr Eazi, Eddy Kenzo, Burna Boy, John Frog Yemi Alade Pepsy Jay, Morgan Heritage, Nandy, Rayvanny, Falz, Phyno, Darassa, Lady Jay Dee, Rich Mavoko

Career

He started his music career in 2011. In 2015, he met Diamond Platnumz and got signed at WCB Wasafi in 2015. His first song "Aiyola" was commercially successful. He won three awards from WatsUp TV,[9][10] AFRIMMA and AEA USA (in the US).[11]

On February 25, 2019, he released 'Afro Bongo'. His first EP featuring Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi and Yemi Alade. Afro Bongo has four tracks including his major hit Kainama which is a track number one from the EP. Kainama's music video surfaced over 14 million views in 12 months.

Harmonize left WCB Wasafi in the end of 2019 and released several projects including 'The Return Of Q Chillah'. Out Of WCB, Harmonize released four commercial singles including 'Hainistui' and 'Uno' which is featured on his debut studio album 'Afro East' released on March 14, 2020.[12]

Harmonize dropped his latest offering, an 18-track album titled Afro East, which is the follow-up to his 2019's EP Afro Bongo.

The album, which is the Tanzanian artist's first project since leaving Diamond Platnumz's record label, features Burna Boy, Lady Jay Dee Phyno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Falz, Skales and several others.[13]

Afro East is another of Harmonize's projects that showcases his ability to seamlessly fuse Afropop with Singeli and Bongo.[14] [15]

Personal life

Harmonize's four year relationship, and then marriage in 2019 to Italian socialite and entrepreneur, Sarah Michelotti was widely publicised. In 2020, one year after the exchanging of vowels, it was announced that the couple had separated due to irreconcilable differences. It was reported that the split was caused in part by infidelity on the side of Harmonize which led to him fathering his first child out of wedlock. Since this point Harmonize has been seen by the public to be embracing his new role as a father.

Discography
Song title Year
"Aiyola" 2015[16]
"Bado"[4] ft. Diamond Platnumz 2016
"Matatizo" 2017
"Happy Birthday" 2017
"Sina" 2017
"Nishachoka"[17] 2017

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Bado ft. Diamond Platnumz WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards for Best African Newcomer Video Won[18]
Himself African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) for Best Newcomer Won[19]
African Entertainment Awards (AEAUSA) for Best New Artist Won[20]

References
  1. "Harmonize - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  2. "TRACE MZIKI: AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS - Trace Mziki". trace.tv (in French). Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  3. "Harmonize Biography, Age, Girlfriend and Songs". Africa Guide. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  4. Base, MTV (2016-03-08). "News : harmonize teams up with diamond platnumz for "bado"". MTV Base. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  5. Base, MTV (2017-05-30). "News : rich mavoko and harmonize's song "show me" is the biggest track in tanzania". MTV Base. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  6. Base, MTV (2017-02-10). "News : acts to lookout for in 2017". MTV Base. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  7. Matiko, Thomas (2019-08-23). "Tanzania: Why Harmonize Wants to End His 15-Year Contract With Wasafi". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  8. Base, MTV (2017-08-30). "News : wcb wasafi's artists collaborate on "zilipendwa"". MTV Base. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  9. "Shatta Wale saves Ghana at 2016 WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2017-09-24.
  10. "Full List of Winners – WatsUp TV Africa Music Video Awards 2016 | Beenie Words". Beenie Words. 2016-12-28. Archived from the original on 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2017-09-24.
  11. "Diamond na Harmonize washinda tuzo Marekani". BBC Swahili. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  12. Celebs, African (2020-03-01). "Harmonize — Afro East Album Launch". Medium. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  13. "Harmonize features Burna Boy, Khaligraph, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi and several others on new album 'Afro East'". Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  14. "Tanzanian Artist Harmonize Releases New 'Afro East' Album". www.rehabmp3.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
  15. "Harmonize Features Yemi Alade 'Pain'". Jamsbase.com. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  16. "Harmonize on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-09-07.
  17. Jonstar. "VIDEO: Harmonize - Nishachoka". Bongo Exclusive. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  18. http://www.beeniewords.com/full-list-of-winners-watsup-tv-africa-music-video-awards-2016/
  19. "Full List Of The AFRIMMA Awards 2016 Winners - HBR 103.5FM". 17 October 2016.
  20. "African Entertainment Awards USA Full Nominees List". 2 September 2016.
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