Konde Gang Music Worldwide Announces Official Legal Suspension of Their Artist IBRA

 

Statement via X former Twitter platform (X).

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – May 11, 2025

The management of Harmonize Entertainment Limited, through its label Konde Gang Music Worldwide, has officially announced the suspension of their artist, Ibrahim Abdallah Nampunga, known by his stage name Ibraah. This decision comes after Ibraah made posts allegedly disrespecting Harmonize, who is the Executive Director and investor of the label, which is seen as a breach of his contract and Tanzanian law.

Reasons for Suspending Ibraah

According to a statement from Konde Gang Music Worldwide, Ibraah has been suspended from participating in any musical activities until the matter is resolved. The statement explained that Ibraah’s posts disrespected Harmonize, violating the terms of his contract and the label’s regulations. Furthermore, Ibraah is prohibited from making any public statements, whether through media or social networks, about the issue to avoid further damage to the reputation of Harmonize and the label as a whole.

The statement said:

“Ibraah is officially suspended from all musical activities as stipulated in his contract with the label until his issue is resolved according to his contract and Tanzanian laws. This includes any form of communication that could damage the image of the Executive Director of the label, Harmonize.”

Ibraah’s Background with Konde Gang

Ibraah, whose full name is Ibrahim Abdallah Nampunga, is an up-and-coming Bongo Flava artist who signed with Konde Gang Music Worldwide in 2020. The label was founded by Harmonize (Rajab Abdul Kahali) in July 2019 after leaving WCB Wasafi, the label started by Diamond Platnumz. Since joining Konde Gang, Ibraah has released several well-received songs, including “Nimekubali,” and was featured on Harmonize’s Afro East album alongside artists like Burna Boy and Yemi Alade.

However, the relationship between Ibraah and the label has faced challenges, especially after other artists such as Country Wizzy, Anjella, Killy, and Cheedy left the label. Ibraah remains the only artist from the original Konde Gang roster.

Tanzanian Music Laws and BASATA

The decision by Konde Gang Music Worldwide aligns with Tanzanian music industry laws regulated by the National Arts Council (BASATA). These laws have faced criticism from some artists for being strict, especially regarding licensing fees and registration procedures. For instance, in 2018, BASATA introduced new regulations requiring solo artists to pay a Tsh 20,000 license fee, DJs Tsh 40,000, and music producers Tsh 50,000 to obtain a license.

Impact of the Decision

The suspension of Ibraah could significantly impact his music career, especially as a rising artist who needs a stable platform to achieve his goals. For Harmonize and Konde Gang, this move demonstrates their firm stance against contract breaches and their commitment to protecting their professional reputation.

Many industry observers see this dispute as a lesson for other artists about the importance of honoring contracts and maintaining respectful cooperation with their labels. However, some believe this action could strain the relationship between Harmonize and Ibraah and even increase the possibility of Ibraah leaving the label once the issue is resolved.