Tanzanian musician Harmonize has addressed recent calls for boycotts against artists perceived to have supported the government, describing claims that musicians were financially compensated as misinterpretations of industry realities.
The controversy intensified after Harmonize appeared in a recent video explaining the role of government support in the music sector. His remarks coincided with a wave of public criticism targeting artists who openly aligned with President Samia Suluhu Hassan during and after the 2025 elections. Some fans and commentators had called for boycotts, accusing musicians of trading political loyalty for financial gain.
“I’ve been paid… It doesn’t matter how I supported the government,” Harmonize said, referring to government-backed funding for music events and initiatives. He clarified that his statement was about general economic support for artists, not payment for political endorsements.
“Fans, you want shows, you want Grammys… Cool investments, international collaborations — all that needs money, and there are no shows from promoters. The number one promoter is the government,” he added, highlighting the economic realities facing Tanzanian musicians.
Despite the clarification, the comments reignited debates online, with social media users suggesting that artists were being financially incentivized to publicly support the government. Others defended Harmonize, pointing out that government involvement in the arts does not automatically equate to political manipulation.
Harmonize urged fans to stop blaming artists and instead focus on solutions for the industry. “Focus on solutions, unite, and let’s work together. Artists are part of the industry, but we cannot be the reason for all problems,” he said.
The calls for boycotts are part of a post-election backlash, reflecting heightened public sensitivity to celebrity political alignments. The scrutiny arises from perceptions that high-profile artists who supported the ruling party may have received benefits in return for their endorsements.
“The reality is, it’s not about politics, it’s about survival,” Harmonize said. “I just want people to understand the reality of our work. It’s not about being political; it’s about being able to perform, create, and grow in this industry.”
Social media played a key role in amplifying the conversation, with discussions on Twitter and Reddit interpreting Harmonize’s words as evidence of political payments.