Legendary Tanzanian singer Rehema Chalamila, better known as Ray C, was once the reigning queen of East African music. With chart-toppers like ‘Na Wewe Milele’ ‘Moto Moto‘ and ‘Mama Ntilie,’ she dominated the Bongo Flava scene in the early 2000s. But recently, Ray C has opened up about how her glittering career took a nosedive.
Ray C reveals that her downfall was closely tied to the people she surrounded herself with. “Back then, I was young and surrounded by people whose true intentions I couldn’t see. My love for partying and being around others ended up being my biggest mistake. The very people I welcomed with open arms were the ones who dragged me down,” she admits.
Her eagerness to experience everything, combined with her trust in others, played a huge part in her struggles. “I was always up for whatever, whether it was Tequila or Malaika shots, without knowing what I was really drinking. My curiosity and lack of boundaries led me into trouble,” she explains.
The ‘Mama Ntilie’ singer has a message for the younger generation: Be careful with your choices. “I see many young people today making the same mistakes I did, driven by curiosity and a desire to experience everything.”
In 2020, she faced a severe crisis when she was admitted to the Life and Hope Rehabilitation Centre in Dar es Salaam after a suicide attempt.
The ordeal brought her into the spotlight, leading former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete to support her rehabilitation financially. At one point, Ray C blamed her former boyfriend, rapper Lord Eyez, for introducing her to drugs, Marijuana that was laced with hard drugs.
Lord Eyez has denied Ray C’s accusations, stating that he found her already using drugs. “I never introduced anyone to drugs. When I met Ray C, she was already using them,” Lord Eyez said in a previous interview.
Despite the turbulent times, the ‘Moto Moto’ singer has managed to rebuild her life and now lives abroad. She relocated to France and has a Mzungu partner whom they have sired together a cute baby boy.
While her music career hasn’t fully recovered, she continues to share her story as a powerful lesson for others.
