This archive report was first published on 24 June 2020.
Vanessa Mdee's Shocking Music Retirement Sparks Response from Tanzanian Authorities ¶
On June 24, 2020, Tanzanian songstress Vanessa Mdee shocked her fans by unexpectedly announcing that she had retired from music-making.
Speaking during a press conference, Godfrey Mngereza, Secretary-General of Tanzania's music regulator Baraza La Sanaa La Taifa (BASATA), revealed that according to him, Vanessa Mdee made the right move. However, he also stated that giving up is a taboo or sin.
“ Ni kweli kuna changamoto kwenye upande wa burudani, lakini muda mwingine kukata tamaa ni mwiko au dhambi kwa kazi ambayo unaipenda na kwa upande mwingine, inazungumzia wasanii ambao wanaishi maisha ambayo sio ya uhalisia ila na imani sio wote watakaokuwa wanaacha muziki ipo siku atarudi tu ” said Godfrey Mngereza.
Vanessa Mdee, who is currently staying in the USA with her boyfriend, actor and singer Rotimi, cited the music industry as 'very demonic' in her announcement. She stated that she needed to choose her life and be an advocate for honesty and beauty.
