Aasai

Kenyan award-winning singer Willy Paul is once again making headlines, this time facing backlash from Tanzanian fans following an upcoming collaboration with Bongo Flava star Phina.

Instead of excitement, Phina’s announcement of the project was met with harsh criticism from Tanzanian netizens, who accused her of siding with an "enemy" of their music industry. Some even threatened to boycott the song and unfollow her on social media.

The Root of Willy Paul’s Rift with Tanzanians

The tension between Willy Paul and Tanzanian fans dates back to December 2024, during the Furaha Festival in Nairobi. The event, headlined by Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, turned chaotic after Willy Paul protested the alleged mistreatment of Kenyan artists.

He claimed that Kenyan musicians were sidelined in favor of Tanzanian acts, sparking anger among local fans. This led to Diamond Platnumz pulling out of the festival, with reports indicating he had been paid Sh19 million for a performance he never delivered.

To make matters worse, Willy Paul openly dismissed his past collaboration Mmmh with Rayvanny when the DJ played it during his set, further escalating the fallout between him and Tanzanian music lovers.

More Feuds: Willy Paul vs Harmonize

The drama didn’t stop there. Willy Paul later clashed with another Tanzanian star, Harmonize, over issues surrounding Burna Boy’s Nairobi concert. Although details remain unclear, the incident only worsened his reputation among Tanzanian fans.

Willy Paul Defends Himself

Amidst the backlash, Willy Paul took to Instagram to clarify his stance, stating that he holds no ill feelings towards Tanzanians or their artists.

"My Tanzanian brothers, don’t be misled into thinking I hate you or your musicians. We are all brothers, and we need each other. But I won’t tolerate disrespect. One of your artists disrespected me in my own country, and I stood my ground. He then twisted the narrative to make it seem like I hate Tanzanians. I don’t—I love you all. My song with the talented Phina is dropping this week."

However, his statement did little to calm the storm, as the criticism against him and Phina continued online.

Phina Faces the Heat

Phina’s decision to collaborate with Willy Paul has been met with strong disapproval from Tanzanians, with many accusing her of betraying the industry. Some claim she should have worked with a different Kenyan artist, while others speculate that she accepted the deal purely for financial gain.

Kenyan Fans Show Support

While Phina faces backlash from her fellow Tanzanians, Kenyan fans have rallied behind her and Willy Paul, praising their collaboration and encouraging them to ignore the negativity.

What’s Next?

With the song set to be released soon, all eyes are on how this controversy will unfold. Will Tanzanian fans follow through with their threats to boycott Phina, or will the drama only boost interest in the track?

One thing is certain—love him or hate him, Willy Paul knows how to keep the East African music industry talking.