Bien Blasts Tanzanians ‘Poverty Mentality’ of Comparing Collabos with Alikiba & Diamond

Kenyan Afro-pop sensation Bien-Aime Baraza has called out the Tanzanian media for what he describes as a "poverty mentality" regarding artist rivalries.

The singer, a former member of the award-winning group Sauti Sol, expressed his frustration during a recent media engagement. He urged journalists and fans to focus on the music rather than the constant competition.

The debate erupted following the release of his latest collaboration with Tanzanian icon Alikiba. As the song climbs the charts, many have been quick to compare it to his previous work with Bongo Flava star Diamond Platnumz.

A Tale of Two Hits

Bien has recently secured two of the biggest collaborations in East African music history. On July 6, 2025, he released the hit single ‘Katam’ featuring Diamond Platnumz. In the eight months since its debut, the track has amassed a staggering 17 million views on YouTube.

More recently, Bien teamed up with Alikiba for the song ‘Finale’. Released on March 25, 2026, the track has already garnered over 2.2 million views in just three days.

Despite the success of both projects, Tanzanian media outlets have been asking which song is superior.

"Tanzanian culture, you just don't know how to enjoy things without comparing and making people compete. That is a poverty mentality,” Bien said in a video.

Rejecting the Rivalry

When asked by journalists which project "killed it" more, Bien did not hold back. He argued that the obsession with pitting artists against one another is detrimental to the industry. He stated that someone who operates from a "place of abundance" should simply be able to enjoy the music without ranking it.

ALSO READ: Bien & Alikiba’s "Finale" Shatters One Day Records on YouTube (Details)

"Legends have met and done a track," Bien remarked. "Instead of people enjoying the song, you start comparing them. Who outperformed who? This is a poverty mentality. We should stop these things."

The singer emphasised that these collaborations are rare and significant. He noted that getting such high-profile artists together on a single project is a difficult feat that does not happen often.

Champions of a Generation

Bien maintained a neutral stance, praising the talents of both Alikiba and Diamond Platnumz. He described both Tanzanian stars, as well as himself, as the "best artists of our generation."

"The track is fire," Bien said, referring to his recent work. "Alikiba is deadly. Ben is deadly. Diamond is deadly."

The Global Impact

The numbers reflect the massive reach of Kenyan and Tanzanian musical partnerships. 'Katam' has maintained a steady growth of roughly 2 million views per month since its 2025 release. Meanwhile, 'Finale' is currently on a faster initial trajectory, averaging over 700,000 views per day in its first 72 hours.

For Bien, these statistics are a sign of a thriving regional scene that should be celebrated collectively. He remains firm that the focus should stay on the artistry rather than the scoreboard.