Tanzanian Bongo Flava singer Harmonize has been fined TSh5 million and suspended from artistic activities by the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA) over his music video for “Kudos”.
BASATA ordered the singer, whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali, to remove the video from his social media platforms and pay the fine within 14 days.
The council said Harmonize will remain barred from engaging in artistic activities until he complies with the directives.
The decision forms part of a wider enforcement action by BASATA, which has imposed a combined TSh19 million in fines on artists, a music video director and event organisers over separate breaches of Tanzania’s arts regulations and ethical standards.
According to a statement issued by BASATA acting executive secretary Edward Buganga on September 22, the council found that the “Kudos” video breached Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations, Government Notice No. 137 of May 22, 2026.
BASATA said the regulation covers conduct and content that violates the dignity of listeners or viewers.
“The artist was accused of committing an ethical offence by distributing a video for a song called ‘Kudos’ which completely failed to observe the ethics of Tanzanian society and which violates the dignity of the listener or viewer,” the council said.
BASATA has not publicly identified a particular scene, lyric or visual in the video as the specific basis for its finding. Its public explanation instead describes the content as inconsistent with Tanzanian societal ethics and the dignity of viewers.
The ruling followed a summons issued by BASATA on September 22 to Harmonize, fellow singer Nandy, music director Kennedy David Sanga, popularly known as Director Kenny, and model Millen Magesse. The council had required the four to appear before it, although its initial notice did not disclose the reasons for the summons.
BASATA said Harmonize did not submit a defence or alternative explanation before the council reached its decision.
The council consequently directed him to remove “Kudos” from his social media platforms, pay the TSh5 million penalty within 14 days and stop engaging in artistic activities until he complies.
The ruling does not give Harmonize a fixed suspension period. Instead, the restriction remains in place until he fulfils the conditions set by BASATA.
Unlike Harmonize, BASATA said Director Kenny appeared before the council and was heard during the proceedings. The council said it established that he had committed an ethical offence after considering his case.
He was therefore ordered to remove the “Kudos” video from his social media platforms, pay TSh5 million within 14 days and refrain from artistic activities until he complies with the decision.
The two sanctions account for TSh10 million of the TSh19 million in penalties announced by BASATA.
BASATA’s action also targeted singer Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known as Nandy, in a separate case.
The council fined Nandy TSh3 million over her attire during her performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 final in Dar es Salaam. BASATA said the clothing was not considered decent and violated the dignity of viewers.
However, the council handled Nandy’s case differently after she admitted the offence, removed the relevant video from her social media platforms and paid the TSh3 million fine. BASATA subsequently allowed her to continue with her artistic activities under its supervision.
The Miss Universe Tanzania organiser, Millen Privé & Co. Lifestyle Limited, was also fined TSh3 million in connection with the event.
Another TSh3 million fine went to Avil Contractors Company Ltd, the organiser of Miss Grand Tanzania, over holding the competition without the required BASATA permit.
The BASATA ruling comes as Harmonize continues to promote his latest album, 31.
