Harmonize Challenges Diamond for the Title of First East African Artist to Win a Grammy
The ongoing rivalry between Tanzanian artists Harmonize and Diamond Platnumz over who will be the first to take Bongo Fleva music to the international stage remains intense. The two musicians, who have long been at the forefront of East African music, continue to spar over who is deserving of global recognition. Their most recent exchange began when Harmonize took a swipe at Diamond for failing to secure a Grammy nomination in 2024, despite releasing songs with international appeal.
During a conversation with journalists. Harmonize expressed his firm belief that he would be the first East African artist to win a Grammy Award. He confidently stated that, not only would he secure a nomination, but he would ultimately bring home the prestigious music award. His statement came just months after Diamond had made headlines with his song Komasava. A collaboration with Canadian artist Jason Derulo, which many expected to boost Diamond’s chances at a Grammy nod. However, the Grammy nominations for 2024 came and went without Diamond’s name on the list.
Harmonize’s comments were seen by many as a direct challenge to Diamond. Especially as he took aim at the global hit Komasava. The song, which was released in 2024, features a French greeting in its title—Comment ça va—a common phrase used to ask someone how they are doing. Harmonize dismissed this as an example of shallow songwriting, claiming that it lacked the depth and uniqueness necessary to win a Grammy. He argued that simply relying on a French greeting in the title would not be enough to impress the Grammy judges, who, according to Harmonize, care more about the quality of the music than superficial trends or fame.
“Talking about the Grammys, my response is this: if you’re discussing Grammys, then know you’re speaking to the 2025/2026 Grammy winner. I know what it takes to win,” Harmonize said with confidence. He continued, “You can’t win a Grammy by just greeting people. You need unique songwriting and production. The judges don’t care if you’re famous or not. What matters is the quality of your work. Popularity in front of the cameras doesn’t matter; it’s your music that speaks.”
Harmonize’s comments have sparked considerable debate among fans and industry insiders. While some support his assertion that a Grammy requires more than just fame, others believe that Diamond’s international collaborations, such as his work with Jason Derulo, may increase his chances in the future. Harmonize, however, appeared unwavering in his belief that he would not only be nominated but would ultimately be the first East African artist to bring home a Grammy.
His remarks were made in the context of the growing global presence of East African music, with artists like Diamond, Harmonize, and others gaining significant attention from international audiences. However, it is clear that Harmonize views himself as the one most likely to succeed on this global stage. He expects that his work, which is rooted in both unique African sounds and universal appeal, will be the key to securing a spot on the Grammy nomination list next year.
Harmonize’s bold statement came shortly after Diamond’s own response to being left out of the 2024 Grammy nominations. Despite the international success of Komasava, Diamond was not nominated in any of the major categories. This led to disappointment among his fans, who had hoped that his collaboration with Derulo would increase his chances. In an effort to reassure them, Diamond urged his followers not to lose hope. Instead, he encouraged them to see the setback as a motivational tool for improvement.
“When we fail to achieve something, we shouldn’t be discouraged. Instead, we should analyze where we went wrong and improve,” Diamond said in a message to his fans. He continued, “I always tell my team not to complain when we miss an achievement. Maybe we lack connections, or maybe there’s something we didn’t do right. But we will learn and do better next time.”
Diamond’s response was measured and focused on resilience. He promised his fans that he would return to the studio and work on creating even stronger songs, which he referred to as “bangers.” These tracks, he said, would help improve his chances of a Grammy nomination in 2025. He was adamant that even though the Grammy snub was disappointing, it wasn’t the end of the road. Instead, he remained optimistic about his future prospects in the music industry.
“For now, we will flood the world with hits. God willing, next year we’ll make it to the Grammys. And if not, we’ll keep pushing because I believe nothing is impossible,” Diamond concluded, echoing the sentiment of many of his fans who continue to support him despite the setback.
The ongoing rivalry between the two artists has become a defining feature of the East African music scene. While Harmonize continues to push forward with his ambitions of winning a Grammy, Diamond’s resilience and determination suggest that he will not give up on his goal of international recognition. Both artists are clearly committed to elevating Bongo Fleva to global stages, but how their paths will unfold remains to be seen. With the 2025 Grammy season approaching, the competition between them is bound to heat up, and fans will be watching closely to see who will be the first to make history for East African music at the Grammys.
