This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Wasafi Festival organizers have called off their pursuit of Tanzanian singer Ali Kiba, citing a desire to improve the music industry and put aside personal differences.
According to Babu Tale, manager of Diamond Platnumz's Wasafi Classic label, the decision was made after they were unable to reach an agreement with Kiba.
"Before going to the US, Babu Tale reached out to Ali Kiba to ask him to be at the festival. Music is about competition, but when it comes to big things like this, people come together," Tale said in a statement.
However, Tale's comments were met with a stern response from Kiba, who posted on social media that they should leave him alone after trying to make him attend the show.
"These things are not personal, no wonder Nigerians are going far. We should not accept to be split apart by people who just want to hate. By doing that, we are killing the industry. Amesema unikome, na mimi nimemkoma, hata kumzungumzia, tumemkoma," Kiba said in a post.
Despite the setback, Tale remains optimistic about the festival, which is scheduled to take place on November 11th and 12th. He confirmed that they have a busy schedule but hope Harmonize will reschedule his commitments to perform at the festival.
