Tanzanian singe and songwriter Barnaba Classic is counting heavy losses after a devastating fire reduced his recording studio, High Table Sound Entertainment, to ashes.
The heartbreaking incident occurred on the night of Monday, June 1, when flames engulfed the facility in Dar es Salaam, destroying years of investment, music equipment, and valuable creative work.
Reports indicate that the fire broke out shortly after the artiste had returned to the city from a performance in Arusha.
According to Barnaba, he had briefly stopped by the studio to greet members of his team before heading home.
Moments later, he received a distressing call informing him that a huge fire had erupted at the premises. By the time he rushed back to the scene, the inferno had already spread extensively.
Nothing Was Salvaged
Despite efforts by the Tanzanian Fire and Rescue Force to contain the blaze, the fire proved too intense.
Reports indicate that firefighters battled the flames for hours, but the studio was completely destroyed.
Barnaba later revealed that nothing was saved from the building as the fire consumed everything in its path.
The loss is particularly painful because the musician had reportedly spent a significant amount of money renovating the facility just two weeks before the disaster struck.
The studio served as the headquarters of High Table Sound Entertainment and was also used for film production and music recording.
Emotional Videos Spark Reactions Online
Videos shared on social media showed a visibly distraught Barnaba breaking down in tears as he watched the flames consume the studio he had spent years building.
Family members, friends, fellow artistes, and supporters who had gathered at the scene could only watch helplessly as the fire raged on.
The emotional clips quickly went viral across Tanzania and beyond, sparking an outpouring of sympathy from fans and celebrities alike.
Many took to social media platforms to send messages of encouragement and prayers to the singer during the difficult moment.
In one of his emotional messages, Barnaba described the loss as one of the most painful experiences of his life, saying his heart was broken and that he had cried deeply over the destruction of the studio.
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A Major Blow To The Bongo Flava Industry
The fire has not only affected Barnaba personally but has also dealt a major blow to Tanzania’s music industry.
High Table Sound had become a creative hub for numerous young artistes, producers, and content creators.
The facility reportedly housed expensive production equipment, recording infrastructure, and archives of music projects.
Industry observers say the destruction could result in the loss of unreleased music and other valuable intellectual property developed at the studio over the years.
Some reports estimate the financial damage could run into tens of millions of Tanzanian shillings.
Barnaba Vows To Rise Again
Despite the devastating setback, Barnaba has remained hopeful.
The award-winning Bongo Flava star, known for hits such as Baby I Love You, Hadithi, and Salama, thanked firefighters, police officers, neighbours, and supporters who rushed to help during the emergency.
He also urged the public not to speculate about the cause of the fire or blame anyone while investigations continue.
Instead, the singer said he had accepted the tragedy as a difficult life lesson and vowed to rebuild.
As messages of support continue pouring in from across East Africa, many fans are hoping the beloved musician will overcome the setback and restore the creative empire that helped shape some of Tanzania’s biggest musical productions.
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