Early Life and Background
Harmonize, whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali, is a Tanzanian musician known for his contributions to the Bongo Flava genre. He was born in Tanzania and has lived in Dar es Salaam since completing his secondary education in 2009. Initially, Harmonize aspired to be a football player, a dream he expressed in his song “Matatizo.” His journey into music began around 2011, and he gained significant recognition after releasing his debut single “Aiyola” in 2015.
Career Development
Harmonize’s career took off when he signed with WCB Wasafi, a record label founded by prominent artist Diamond Platnumz. His collaboration with Diamond led to the release of several successful tracks, including “Kwa Ngwaru,” which featured Diamond himself. In 2017, he was recognized by MTV Base as one of the artists to watch for that year.
In 2019, Harmonize released his first EP titled “Afro Bongo,” which included collaborations with notable artists such as Burna Boy and Yemi Alade. The EP’s lead single “Kainama” became particularly popular, amassing over 14 million views on YouTube within a year.
After leaving WCB Wasafi at the end of 2019, Harmonize established his own record label called Konde Music Worldwide. This move allowed him greater creative control over his music and projects. His first studio album under this label, titled “Afro East,” was released on March 14, 2020. The album featured various artists and showcased a blend of Afropop and traditional Tanzanian sounds.
Recent Works
Following “Afro East,” Harmonize continued to release new music consistently. His second studio album, “High School,” came out on November 5, 2021, featuring fewer collaborations compared to his previous works but still included contributions from other African artists like Naira Marley and Sarkodie.
On October 28, 2022, he released his third studio album titled “Made for Us,” which received critical acclaim for its personal themes and musicality. Most recently, on November 24, 2023, Harmonize launched his fourth studio album named “Visit Bongo,” which has been recognized as one of the best Tanzanian albums of the year.
In early 2024, Harmonize collaborated with American rapper Bobby Shmurda and Kenyan singer Bien on the single “I Made It,” further expanding his international reach.
Musical Style and Influence
Harmonize’s music is characterized by its fusion of Afropop with elements of traditional Tanzanian music genres like Singeli and Bongo Flava. He has worked with numerous prominent African musicians throughout his career and continues to influence the contemporary African music scene.
Conclusion
Harmonize remains a significant figure in the African music industry due to his innovative approach to music production and collaboration with other artists across the continent.
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