The Tanzanian Government through its National Music Council BASAT has responded after Kenya’s Ezekiel Mutua banned the ‘Tetema’ hit song earlier this week.
The infamous ‘morality cop’ on Tuesday said the controversial song, alongside ‘Wamlambez by Kenyan group The Sailors, should be restricted to clubs and bars only citing dirty lyrics unsuitable for public consumption.
However, BASATA, has come out to defend the mega hit song by Bongo superstars Rayvanny and Diamond Platnumz.
Secretary-General at BASATA Godfrey Mngereza said before any artiste releases a song in Tanzania, the body (BASATA) must ascertain if it holds the threshold for public consumption.
He noted that ‘Tetema’ is a good song and wondered what criteria the KFCB CEO Ezekiel Mutua used to arrive at his decision to ban the song in Kenya.
“Wimbo huo ni mzuri kwani hauna tatizo lolote na kawaida yetu huwa tunakagua nyimbo zote na kama wimbo ukionekana una matatizo huwa wanachukua hatua ikiwemo kuufungia. Tumekuwa tukifuatilia nyimbo za wasanii wa hapa nchini na kuwaita wanapokosea. Tunatoa onyo na hata kufungia nyimbo zao, lakini huu (TETEMA) hauna shida ndio maana nasema sijui wametumia vigezo gani kuuzuia usichezwe mchana,” said Godfrey Mngereza.
While banning the songs, Mutua described them as pure pornography.
