Tanzanian rapper Emmanuel Elibariki, known professionally as Ney wa Mitego is not new to controversies when it comes to his music and the body regulating music in Tanzania – Baraza La Sanaa La Tanzania (BASATA). Ney has once again found himself in the midst of a heated controversy with the Tanzanian government over his latest release titled ‘Amkeni.’
In 2016, Ney’s song “Pale Kati” was banned by BASATA. According to the then executive secretary of BASATA Mr. Godfrey Mngereza, the decision was made on the grounds that the song beared immoral content and message that goes against Tamzaian values and traditions. Apart from the ban, Ney was slapped with a 1 million Tanzanian shillings fine and he was ordered to revise the lyrics of the song to reflect the Tanzanian values. BASATA also ordered Ney to apologize to the public.
In February 2017, BASATA banned yet another song by Ney, “Shika AdabuYako” for content that appeared to compromise national values. In the song Ney talks about the different aspects of the Tanzanian music and film industry while attaching actors and musicians. According to BASATA this was an act of demining the Tanzanian culture of music and film.
The same year – 2017- Ney was arrested for using foul language on the then-Tanzanian President, the late John Pombe Magufuli in his song ”Wapo”. In the song Ney criticizes the then president asking him who he thinks he is for not accepting advice and criticism. This came after the President was widely seen as a no-nonsense, corruption-busting man of the people. The president ordered the release of Ney and he lifted the ban imposed on the song allowing it to be played across all media hoses as opposed to the earlier ban by BASATA.
In May 2021, Ney yet again found himself on the wrong side of BASATA, this time after he presented the song “Mama” to the Tanzanian government for review (as government’s rules dictate) the officials deemed this song unfit for the public for its alleged provocative content.
Fast forward to 2023 July 28th, after the release of his new song “Amkeni” – which is a metaphor – calling out all Tanzanian citizens to open their eyes and wake up. In the song, Ney criticizes President Samia Suluhu’s administration, leading to its swift ban by Tanzania’s National Art Council, BASATA. The lyrics according to BASATA, are disrespectful to President Suluhu and have the potential to incite the public against the ruling government. In a letter, the representative John W Daffla responded to the song, imposing a ban on its play across national media houses and social media platforms.
However, Ney took to his Instagram account in response to this, condemning BASATA’s decision and accusing them of abusing their authority, all at the expense of taxpayers. The rapper expressed his lack of surprise, claiming that mainstream media has previously shunned his music, but that hasn’t stopped his songs from becoming street anthems.