Tanzania: RJ the DJ to release debut album on 16 August

RJ the DJ made the announcement at a press conference on 12 August in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Local artists featured on the Changes album include Diamond Platnumz, Vanessa Mdee, RayVanny, Zuchu, Mbosso, Khadija Kopa, G Nako and Harmonize, as well as Khaligraph Jones (Kenya) Jose Chameleone (Uganda), Morgan Heritage (Jamaica), and Nigeria's Niniola and Ycee, among others.

The 34-year-old artist said featured musicians were “working to promote an array of styles and ideas coming out of their respective countries. People are doubtful about the idea that I own an album or song, yet my vocals are not featured. At the same time, they are excited because I may be the first DJ in the country to engage in such a project.

“Collaborations between DJs, producers and singers is a common formula in the West and even in countries like South Africa,” RJ the DJ said.” Changes is a learning process for me and my management team, so I want to thank the artists who put so much of themselves into it. I hold them in high regard." 

RJ the DJ said collaborations open up a new world of sound, style and opportunities. He encouraged upcoming artists who wish to grow their careers to consider collaborations as a strategy.

"Relationships matter and surrounding yourself with the right people is a great way to start. My future projects will focus on encouraging more collaborations between talented local musicians and established artists from around the continent and vice versa. So, Changes is merely a prototype project to test the market's reaction. In fact, my team and I do not expect to make much sales out of it."

RJ the DJ – who doubles as Diamond Platnumz’s main DJ – said he was keen to learn music production and sound engineering because "the production process was an exhausting journey. The album's [Changes] progress depended on the producer's pace. So now I am challenging myself to learn how to produce my own music in the future."

Born Romeo Abdul Jones, RJ the DJ is also a film director and actor, who has worked with such artists as Gigi Money, Feza Kessy, Meja Kunta and Barakah the Prince, among others. Changes will be available on all major music streaming platforms.