Diamond Platnumz | |
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![]() Diamond Platnumz during a press conference in 2012 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack [1] |
Born | Tandale, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania |
Origin | Kigoma, Tanzania |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | |
Website | Diamond Platnumz on X |
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa. [2] He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube. [3]
After signing a record deal with Universal Music in 2017, Platnumz released his third studio album, A Boy from Tandale (2018).
In 2021, Diamond together with his record label WCB Wasafi [4] entered into a 360 Partnership with Warner Music Group. [5] [6]
He started his music career in 2006 at the age of 18 years old while selling clothes. He would record songs with the money he earned from the clothes' business and eventually recorded his first single "Toka Mwanzo", a Bongo flava song fused with R&B. [7] The song was not successful commercially.
His breakthrough hit single "Kamwambie" was released in 2010. [7] The song won three Tanzania Music Awards. [8] He then released his debut studio album Kamwambie same year in 2010.
In 2014, Platnumz earned a nomination at BET Awards 2014 for Best International Act: Africa. [9]
Platnumz has frequently collaborated with videographer Director Kenny for his music videos. The music video for "Waah", directed by Kenny, was nominated for "Best African Video" at the 2021 All Africa Music Awards. [10] [11]
With over 100 Million views on YouTube, Waah is one of the most watched Tanzanian music videos on YouTube [12] [13]
In 2022, he released his 10 tracks extended playlist known as First Of All (FOA) where he featured top artists like Zuchu, Adekunle Gold, Focalistic and many other top African artists. [14]
First Of All has been described as a blend of R&B, Bongo Flava and Afrobeats [15] and to promote the EP, Diamond Platnumz for the first time in Tanzania premiered all music videos from the FOA EP at the cinema [16]
In 2023 Diamond Platnumz released his second collaboration with Congolese musician, Koffi Olomide marking his second feature with Koffi after Waah released in 2020 [17] [18]
In 2023, Diamond Platnumz won his third MTV EMA as the Best African Act [19] [20] [21]
Diamond is a Muslim by religion. [23] With his former partner, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan, [24] he has two children. [25] [26] He became a father for the third time with Tanzanian model Hamisa Mobetto. [27] As of 2019 Diamond was dating Kenyan model and musician Tanasha Donna, with whom he fathered one son, born in October 2019. [28] The two have since separated with Tanasha Donna flying back to her home country, Kenya.
Diamond is the cousin of Tanzanian socialite-cum-DJ, Romeo Abdul Jones, professionally known as Romy Jones. [29] He also has two sisters, musician Queen Darleen, and entrepreneur-socialite Esma Platnumz. [30]
In 2010, he endorsed Tanzania's dominant ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and its presidential candidate, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. [31] He has released further songs with lyrics supporting CCM, such as "CCM Tusonge Mbele" ("CCM Let's Move Forward"). [32]
In the 2022 Kenyan general election Diamond Platnumz endorsed and performed at the Raila Odinga campaign rally at Kasarani held on 6 August 2022 just 3 days before the election [33]
Diamond has also been said and in various occasions confirmed that he is dating fellow WCB Wasafi label mate, Zuchu [34]
On 23 January 2019, Diamond Platnumz was officially introduced as Pepsi Brand Ambassador in East Africa. [35]
On 13 September 2019, Diamond Platnumz became Brand Ambassador of Parimatch Africa. [36]
On 25 September 2019, Diamond was named the Nice One Brand Ambassador. [37]
On 4 March 2020, Diamond Platnumz was unveiled as the new Brand Ambassador of Coral Paints (Tanzania). [38]
On 11 December 2021 he launched Wasafibet [39] in partnership with Odibets-a Kenyan Sports betting company.
In April 2022 he was unveiled as the new brand ambassador for Airtel Tanzania [40]
He is the most decorated music artist in East and Central Africa .
Year | Title | Album |
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2010 | "Kamwambie" | Kamwambie |
"Nitarejea"(feat. Hawa) | ||
"Nakupa Moyo Wangu"(feat. Mr Blue) | ||
"Nalia Na Mengi"(feat. Chid Benz) | ||
"Jisachi"(feat. Ngwair & Geez Mabovu) | ||
"Wivuwivu"(feat. Rj The Dj) | ||
"Mbagala" | ||
"I Hate You"(feat. Hemedy PHD) | ||
"Binadam" | ||
"Wakunesanesa" | ||
"Si Uko Tayari" | ||
"Toka Mwanzo"(feat. Fatma & Rj The Dj) | ||
2012 | "Lala Salama" | Lala Salama |
"Moyo Wangu" | ||
"Chanda Chema" | ||
"Nimpende Nani" | ||
"Najua" | ||
"Mawazo" | ||
"Kwanini" | ||
"Natamani" | ||
"Gongo La Mboto"(feat. Mrisho Mpoto) | ||
"Kizaizi" | ||
2018 | "Hallelujah" (feat. Morgan Heritage) | A Boy from Tandale |
"Waka" (feat. Rick Ross) | ||
"Baikoko" | ||
"Pamela" (feat. Young Killer) | ||
"Iyena" (feat. Rayvanny) | ||
"Kosa Langu" | ||
"Nikuone" | ||
"Baila" | ||
"Sijaona" | ||
"African Beauty" (feat. Omarion) | ||
"Eneka" | ||
"Fire" (feat. Tiwa Savage) | ||
"Marry You" (feat. Ne-Yo) | ||
"Number One" (feat. Davido) [Remix] | ||
"Nana" (feat. Flavour) | ||
"Kidogo" (feat. P-Square) | ||
"Amanda" (feat. Jah Prayzah) | ||
"Far Away" (feat. Vanessa Mdee) | ||
"The One" | Songs | |
"Jibebe"(With. Mbosso & Lava Lava) | ||
"Kanyaga" | ||
"Inama" (feat. Fally Ipupa) | ||
"Baba Lao" | ||
"Sound"(feat. Teni (singer)) | ||
"Gere"(With. Tanasha Donna) | ||
"Jeje" | ||
"Haunisumbui" [46] | ||
"Ongeza" | ||
"Waah"(feat. Koffi Olomide) | ||
2021 | "Naanzaje" |
Year | Title | Album |
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2017 | "Love you Die" (Patoranking ft. Diamond Platnumz) | |
2019 | "My Way Remix" (Stanley Enow ft. Diamond Platnumz) | |
"Yope" Remix (Innoss'B ft. Diamond Platnumz) | ||
"Moto"(Wawa Salegy ft. Diamond Platnumz) | ||
"Penzi" (Ya Levis ft. Diamond Platnumz) | ||
2020 | "Wasted Energy" (Alicia Keys ft. Diamond Platnumz) | |
"Watora Mari" (Jah Prayzah ft. Diamond Platnumz)
Bongo Flava is a nickname for Tanzanian music. The genre developed in the 1990s, mainly as a derivative of American hip hop and traditional Tanzanian styles such as taarab and dansi, with additional influences from reggae, R&B, and afrobeats, to form a unique style of music. Lyrics are usually in Swahili or English, although increasingly from mid 2000s there has been limited use of words from Sub-Saharan African music traditions due to the influence of Afrobeats and Kwaito with their dynamics usage of West African Pidgin English, Nigerian Pidgin or other Creole language.
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is a Tanzanian politician who was the fourth president of Tanzania, in office from 2005 to 2015.
Ndombolo, also known as dombolo, is a genre of dance music originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Derived from soukous in the 1990s, with fast-paced hip-swaying dance rhythms, often accompanied by upbeat, percussion-driven music, the style became widespread in the mid-1990s and the subsequent decade, dominating dancefloors in central, eastern, and western Africa. It inspired West African popular music, coupé-décalé, Kuduro, and East African dance music.
Rajab Abdul Kahali, also known by his stage name Harmonize, is a Tanzanian Bongo Flava recording artist, and entrepreneur.
Raymond Shaban, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label until July 2022. He was born and raised in Nzovwe ward of Mbeya city, located in Mbeya Region. He is the most successful bongo flava musician in Tanzania from Mbeya region. His songs are mainly in Swahili. He is the founder and CEO of Next Level Music. Rayvanny is best known by his song "Kwetu", which introduced him to the world. Rayvanny was mentioned by MTV Base among "Acts To Look Out For" in 2017.
"Waka", is a song by Tanzanian bongo flava recording artist and dancer Diamond Platnumz, featuring American rapper Rick Ross. The song was made available for streaming and digital download on iTunes and various online music platforms on 1 December 2017. "Waka" is an Afropop song produced by Laizer.
Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) is a Tanzania-based record label founded by musician Diamond Platnumz. WCB's commercial roster includes Diamond Platnumz, Mbosso, Zuchu, Lava Lava, Queen Darleen, and D Voice. The label is headquartered at Mbezi Beach, Dar Es Salaam. The label's Vice President is RJ The DJ, who is also Diamond Platnumz's official DJ, while the official producer of the label is Lizer Classic. In 2017, the WCB Wasafi artists released a joint project titled Zilipendwa, and in 2020, they released their second single titled Quarantine. In 2021, WCB Wasafi signed a publishing and distribution deal with Ziiki and Warner Music Group.
Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known by her stage name Nandy is a Tanzanian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born and raised in the town of Moshi, Tanzania in the Kilimanjaro Region. She won the All Africa Music Awards twice in the best female artist in East Africa category in 2017 and 2020.
Zuhura Othman Soud better known by her stage name Zuchu, born is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born in Zanzibar. She is based in Dar es Salaam and signed to WCB Wasafi record label. She was awarded the Silver Plaque Button by YouTube for hitting 100,000 subscribers within a week. She became the first East African female artist to reach that milestone within a week. She also became the first East African female artist to reach 1 million subscribers on YouTube 11 months later. In 2020, Zuchu was named by AFRIMMA as the Emerging Artist Award winner.
Mbwana Yusuf Kilungi, better known by his stage name Mbosso Khan is a Tanzanian singer and songwriter born in Kibiti, Pwani Region, he is currently based in Dar es Salaam and signed under WCB Wasafi record label. Mbosso is known for his songs "Nadekezwa" and "Hodari" which won Video of the Year at HiPipo Awards 2019. Mbosso released his debut studio album, Definition of Love, in March 2021.
Juma Mussa Kitombi, known professionally by his stage name Jux, is a Tanzanian artist and songwriter.
Kenned David Sanga, also known by his pseudonym "Director Kenny", Tanzanian music video director, cinematographer and film director from Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
Angel Nyigu is a Tanzanian dancer and choreographer. She has extensively worked with recording artist Diamond Platnumz appearing in his music videos and is the founder of Tanzania Dance. Her dance routines mainly consist of Afro dance, Hip hop and Dancehall.
Elias Barnabas Inyasi who is predominantly known by his stage names, Barnaba Classic and Barnaba boy is a singer, songwriter and performer from Tanzania.
Abdul Juma Idd better known by his stage name Lava Lava is a Tanzanian singer signed under WCB Wasafi record label. His hit songs such as Saula, Nga'ring'ari, Habibi, Tuna Kikao and Tajiri have made a household in Tanzania. He is known for his signature Bongo Flava sound and Baibuda music style.
Gift Stanford Joshua known by her stage name Gigy Money is a Tanzanian singer, and internet personality. Gigy became a household after releasing Papa, a Bongo Flava song written by Marioo in 2017. Throughout her music career, Gigy Money has worked with different music heavyweights including Whozu, Tamimu, Rosa Ree, Lava Lava and more.
Romeo George alias RJ The DJ and Romy Jon(e)s is a Tanzanian DJ, record producer and television actor.
Tanasha Donna Oketch is a Kenyan model, singer, entrepreneur & former radio presenter for NRG radio.
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Tetema is a song recorded by Tanzanian singer Rayvanny included as the second song in his debut studio album, Sound From Africa (2021). It was officially released by WCB Wasafi on February 20, 2019. The track features Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz.
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