What was anticipated to be a night filled with music, camaraderie, and electrifying performances took a dramatic turn at the Furaha Fest, leading to chaos among fans and artists alike.
The concert, held over the weekend, saw a heated altercation between Kenyan artist Willy Paul and Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, overshadowing the event’s intended celebrations.
Willis Raburu, one of the event organizers, addressed the turmoil, emphasizing that the festival aimed to treat all artists equally while maintaining high-quality standards for everyone involved.
“While we acknowledge there was a minor security issue involving another artist, we swiftly resolved it and ensured that the event continued in a safe and professional manner,” Raburu stated.
The trouble began when Diamond, slated to close the show, requested to perform earlier in the lineup. Willy Paul, whose time slot would be compromised by this request, voiced his displeasure.
“Why should he take my slot? That’s just disrespectful,” Paul expressed backstage, asserting that the situation could lead to him facing unjust allegations.
As tensions escalated, a confrontation ensued between Diamond’s bodyguards and Willy Paul’s team. Eyewitnesses reported that the bodyguards became physical, attempting to prevent Willy Paul from taking the stage.
The altercation culminated in Diamond Platnumz leaving the venue without performing, with his manager citing an inability to tolerate the perceived disrespect from Willy Paul.
In a heartfelt social media post, Willy Paul criticized the treatment he received at the festival.
“These people want to arrest me because I refused to let Diamond perform before me. Why are Kenyans being disrespected in front of Bongo musicians? This is sad,” he lamented, shedding light on the pressures faced by local artists in the wake of international stars.
The fallout from this incident left fans divided, with some supporting Willy Paul’s stand for Kenyan pride, while others recognized Diamond’s established reputation and star power. “It’s disappointing to see our artists clash like this,” commented one festival-goer. “This was supposed to be about uniting through music, not drama.”
Despite the setbacks, several other artists, including Mejja, Khaligraph Jones, Zuchu, and Rayvanny, tried to salvage the evening and provide fans with some semblance of the anticipated entertainment. However, the buzz surrounding the altercation between the two stars dominated conversations throughout the night.
