Dj Vnyash
East African folk music icon Saida Karoli reflects on her regrets about not amassing wealth during her peak. Karoli gained fame in the early 2000s with hits like “Maria Salome,” “Chambua Kama Karanga,” and “Mapenzi Kizunguzungu,” which topped East African charts and catapulted her to stardom, leading to tours across the region.
By 2023, her album “Chambua Kama Karanga” had brought her significant financial success, with earnings in both Tanzanian shillings and US dollars sufficient for a luxurious lifestyle. Even renowned American filmmaker Tyler Perry considered her song “Maria Salome” worthy of inclusion in his film “Peeples.”
Today, at 48, Karoli reflects on her past with regret. Despite her early success, she now struggles to revive her musical career and feels her former glory is a distant memory. “I should have been wealthy by now, owning several mansions and making major investments,” she laments from her home in Bukoba, where she retreated after facing setbacks.
Karoli attributes her current situation to a lack of guidance and her own naivety. Having become a star at just 17, she regrets not having better investment advice. “I made a lot of money but lacked proper guidance on managing it. I was young and an orphan, which contributed to my downfall,” she says.
While she acknowledges the role of her former manager in her rise, Karoli now prefers to work independently, believing that her previous management exploited her. “I’d like to have the success of someone like Diamond Platnumz but without management. My past management exploited me, and I didn’t understand the business side of music. I regret not knowing my worth and allowing others to dictate terms,” she adds.
Silverio Omari
