Rajab Abdul Kahali, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist, and entrepreneur.[1]
Harmonize | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Rajab Abdul Kahali |
| Also known as | Harmonize |
| Born | Mtwara Region, Tanzania[1] |
| Genres | Bongo flava, Afrobeats, Afropop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, entreprenuer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Konde Music Worldwide |
Throughout his career, Harmonize has worked with many other African musicians, including Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, Ruger, Sarkodie and Naira Marley.[2]
Earlier life
Harmonize has lived in Dar es Salaam since completing secondary school education in 2009.
He released his debut song, "Aiyola", in 2015. Other songs include "Kwa Ngwaru",[3] featuring Diamond Platnumz, and "Show Me," featuring Rich Mavoko.[4] In 2017, MTV Base (African TV channel) included him in their African edition of "Ones to Watch for 2017".[5] He was the first artist to sign a recording contract with the Diamond Platnumz WCB Wasafi label[6] and has since founded his own record label, Konde Music Worldwide.[7]
Career
He started his music career in 2011. In 2015, he met Diamond Platnumz and signed with WCB Wasafi. His first song, "Aiyola" was commercially successful. He won three awards from WatsUp TV,[8][9] AFRIMMA, and AEA USA (in the US).[10]
On 25, 2019, he released "Afro Bongo", his first EP, which featured Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi and Yemi Alade. "Afro Bongo" has four tracks, including "Kainama". "Kainama's" music video received more than 14 million views in 12 months.
Harmonize left WCB Wasafi at the end of 2019 and released several projects, including "The Return of Q Chillah". Harmonize released four commercial singles, including "Hainistui" and "Uno," both produced by East African hit-makers Hunter Nation[11] and "Bonga".[11][needs update]
Harmonize released his first studio album with 18 tracks, titled Afro East, on March 14, 2020. The work infuses Afropop with Singeli and Bongo.[12][13] The album included the single "Bedroom," produced by Hunter Nation.[14]
Afro East is his first project since leaving Diamond Platnumz's record label and features Burna Boy, Lady Jay Dee, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Mr Eazi, Falz, Skales, Khaligraph Jones, Morgan Heritage, DJ Seven, Mr Blue, Prince Fahim, and several others.[15]
On November 5, 2021, Harmonize released his sophomore album, titled High School. The track list was revealed on the artist's Instagram page while he was on his 2021 American tour. The album was his first LP since Afro-East. The project was preceded by the previously released Amapiano hits "Sandakalawe and "Teacher". The first song on the album, "Sorry", was partly performed during a virtual concert by the artist held prior to the album's release.
The album had twenty songs, and only two had been heard before ("Sandakalawe" and "Teacher"). The album featured several prominent African acts, including Naira Marley, Sarkodie, Busiswa as well as labelmates Ibraah and Anjella. Also featured was the Tanzanian Singeli singer Sholo Mwamba. It marked a departure from the feature-heavy Afro-East as it had fewer features, with most songs helmed by Harmonize alone.[citation needed]
On October 28, 2022, Harmonize released his third studio album, titled Made for Us. The 14-track album featured Spice, Ntoshi Gazi, Abby Chams, and Bruce Melodie. A few days before the album was released, Harmonize announced on his Instagram that he would not promote the album because he had "done everything in the studio".[16]
The album was critically acclaimed. Music in Africa's Charles Maganga dubbed the album the most personal album by Harmonize to date.[17]
November 24, 2023 Harmonize released his fourth studio album titled Visit Bongo, which was named by Notjustok as the best Tanzanian album of 2023[18]
January 30, 2024 Harmonize released his single I Made It, which feature American rapper Bobby Shmurda and Kenyan singer Bien.[19]
After leaving WCB Wasafi, Harmonize started his own record label, Konde Music Worldwide, (also known as Konde Gang) and signed different artists such as Ibraah, Country Wizzy, Anjella, Killy and Cheedy all of which have left the label with the exception of Ibraah.[citation needed]
Discography
| Song title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| "Aiyola" | 2015[20] | |
| "Bado"[3] ft. Diamond Platnumz | 2016 | |
| "Matatizo" | 2017 | |
| "Happy Birthday" | 2017 | |
| "Sina" | 2017 | |
| "Kainama" (ft. Burna Boy[21] & Diamond Platnumz) | 2017 |
"Paranawe" Ft. Rayvanny (2018)
"Show Me What You Got" Ft Yemi Alade (2018)
"Kushoto Kulia" (2019)
"Anajikosha" (2021)
Afro Bongo
Studio Albums
• Afro East (2020)[22]
• High School (2021)[14]
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[23] |
| Himself | African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) for Best Newcomer | Won[24] | |
| African Entertainment Awards (AEAUSA) for Best New Artist | Won[25] |
