Hitmaker of “Chambua kama Karanga,” Saida Karoli, laments wasting her wealth

Said Karoli, a legendary figure in East African folk music, harbors remorse for not attaining wealth during a period in which the world was at her feet.

Karoli entered the public eye in the early 2000s with the release of timeless compositions such as Maria Salome: Chambua Kama Karanga and Mapenzi kizunguzungu, which dominated the East African music charts at the time. She quickly became a star, traversing the region and performing at events.

In 2023, her debut album, Chambua Kama Karanga, and subsequent releases attained a crescendo. With it, she received millions of Tanzanian shillings and US dollars, which were sufficient to ensure a life of opulence.

Even the renowned American black filmmaker Tyler Perry believed that Maria Salome, her popular song at the time, was deserving of a soundtrack for his film Peeples.

Upon meeting the 48-year-old today, she appears to be a mere shadow of her former self, her anguish tinged with an abundance of regrets. She has been attempting to make a musical revival for the past few years, but her efforts have been plagued by numerous false starts. This may be a sign that her heyday is behind her.

“I should have been wealthy at that time, possessing a few mansions, perhaps 10 or 20, in addition to numerous other multi-million-dollar investments.” Regardless of my age or socioeconomic status, my name surpassed me. Karoli, who retreated to her Bukoba residence when circumstances became unfavorable a few years ago, stated, “I was once a huge star, generating a substantial income. However, I am now leading a quiet life.”

Despite the fact that the majority of her recordings were composed in Swahili and Indigenous lyrics, which were primarily intended to attract admirers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and DR Congo, “Maria Salome” managed to surpass the ceiling to the point where it captivated Perry.
The song “Maria Salome” recounts the tragic fate of a woman who abandons her beloved in pursuit of a better life, only to be slain by her subsequent conquest.

The record was so profound and an ideal match for a romantic comedy about a dysfunctional couple who endeavor to remain together that Perry donated a few dollars to use it as the soundtrack for his film “Peeples,” which starred Craig Robinson and Kerry Washington, among others.

However, despite the fact that the village girl’s passion for performance earned her admirers across the region, the downward spiral came a little faster than her rise, despite the fact that she made massive sales from the album and felt up stadiums in the region, with the icing being a feature in the film “Peeples,” which grossed USD 9.3 million at the box office.

The mother of six now attributes her downfall to her youth, naivety, and lack of guidance.

“At the age of seventeen, I achieved celebrity status.” I would be in a better position today if I had received sound investment advice. I lament that I was young and an orphan, and I did not receive any guidance on how to invest and manage my finances more effectively, despite the fact that I made a significant amount of money. Additionally, Saida includes…
While acknowledging her rapid manager’s assistance in propelling her to prominence, Saida continues to allocate responsibility for her downfall.

“I would relish the opportunity to emulate the lifestyle that Diamond Platnumz possesses, albeit without the constraints of management.” My blood pressure increases whenever I consider being under management. I am of the opinion that being an independent artist is preferable, as I believe that my previous management may have exploited me to some extent. I am responsible for their actions because I permitted them to exploit me. I was inexperienced and unaware of my value, so I relinquished control over the terms of my employment, including the amount of compensation I would receive. I never raised any questions. I was unaware that music is a business. I have endured enormous consequences as a consequence of my foolishness. Further, she elaborates.