Diamond Platnumz has answered a question that has been asked for a long time about the absence of female musicians in the ongoing Wasafi label and festival.
The Wasafi boss was holding a press conference to promote the Pepsi brand, which has been at the forefront of sponsoring the festival, which has been held in various regions since late August.
Diamond was asked why in the festival there have been various artistes but mostly male, with Zuchu being the only female musician performing at this year’s Wasafi Festival.
The Wasafi boss responded by indicating that they may have tried to reach female artists but their efforts were thwarted by the musicians themselves.
“Lakini unajua wakati mwingine wasanii wanaweza kuwa wako na ratiba zao kwa hiyo inakuwa vigumu kuwapata kwa wakati tunaowahitaji. Lakini tulijitahidi kuwaingiza wasanii mbalimbali. Lakini pia wasanii tuliwapigia simu waje katika tamasha wanatuletea mapozi… wasituletee pozi, ukileta pozi mimi nakukata. Unaelewa? Kwa sababu hata usipokuwepo shoo itajaa tu!” Diamond said.
He also advised artistes to try to be understanding so that they all have a chance to participate in the annual festival.
“Wasanii tukuwe na flexibility ili wote tushiriki kwa sababu sisi tunatamani tuwaite wasanii tofauti sana sana,” he added.
Diamond also explained what criteria they look at to invite different artists to Wasafi festival.
“Ukiangalia, wasanii wanaenda waki-rotate lakini kiuhalisia ni ngumu sana kuwaacha wasanii ambao wamefanya vizuri katika tamasha la awali na kuwachukua wengine tu kisa unataka kuonesha umebadilisha. Sisi tulitangaza kabla kwamba tunakuja katika Wasafi Festval na kumtaka kila msanii kuweka mawe…tuliwaambia wasanii kwamba ngoma zao zitapigwa kwenye rotation na wale watakaokuwepo kwenye peak wataingia kwenye Wasafi Festival,” he said.
However, he also said that artistes who feel locked out should not worry because the festival is still going on.
“Sasa mimi niwaambie kwamba Wasafi Festival bado inaendelea, ndio mwanzo tuko mikoa minne, bado mikoa Zaidi ya kumi. Watu waendelee kutoa nyimbo zao, waendelee kufanya vitu. Wanaendelea kuingia tofuati tofauti, ukiangalia sasa hivi wanaotumbuiza ni tofauti tofauti,” Diamond said emphasizing that the Wasafi Festival is not just a Wasafi festival but a national festival.
