"Nana" is a song by Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz from his third studio album, A Boy from Tandale (2018) featuring Nigerian singer Flavour. The song was produced by Lizer Classic and Nahreel and is known for its fusion of Bongo Flava, Afro-pop, and Caribbean musical elements. The music video for Nana achieved considerable success, surpassing 100 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the first East African songs to reach this milestone.[1] The song also garnered critical acclaim, winning accolades such as the Hipipo Music Awards for East Africa Superhit and East Africa Best Video in 2016.[2][3]
Nana is a Bongo Flava song with a strong Afrobeats influence, typical of Diamond Platnumz's blended musical style. The song incorporates synthesized percussion and melodic elements common in Afrobeats. Operating in a 4 4 time signature, Nana creates a mid-tempo groove suitable for both dancing and romantic appreciation, aligning with the song's lyrical themes. Lyrically, it explores themes of romantic admiration, with Diamond Platnumz and Flavour delivering verses in Swahili and English respectively, creating a multilingual and cross-cultural appeal.[4]
Music video
The music video for "Nana" was shot in South Africa and directed by Godfather Productions. It portrays a simple storyline of a young man trying to win the heart of a schoolgirl. The video is set in "somewhere in Africa," featuring a well-groomed lawn and a large school, with classroom scenes that resemble an American setting. The visuals are heavily influenced by American hip-hop culture, particularly in the clothing, featuring elements like large headphones, sports jackets, and jewelry. However, the video maintains a distinct Tanzanian identity through its music and dance.[5] The video also includes cameo appearances by Tanzanian artist Vanessa Mdee, South African rapper AKA and Nigerian duo Bracket.[6] As of March 2025, the music video for "Nana" has surpassed 100 million views on YouTube, marking Diamond Platnumz's fifth music video to reach this milestone.[7][8]
Reception
The music video for Nana was widely praised and rapidly gained popularity upon its release. Within 48 hours after its release on YouTube, it achieved 125,000 views, quickly exceeding 340,000 views after 72 hours, demonstrating significant early interest. Daily Nation described the song as a "danceable love-tune" and lauded the video's "jaw-dropping" choreography. The video's narrative, depicting a lover's expressions of deep affection and anxieties about potential loss through poetic Swahili lyrics with West African musical influences, resonated with audiences.[6] The video's success also challenged preconceptions about the international appeal of Swahili music, showcasing Tanzanian music's broad potential. Further praise described the video's visuals as "crisp" and the overall production as "cool" and "clean cut," highlighting its simple yet polished presentation.[9] The performances of the "Wasafi Dancers" in the video were also specifically commended for their skill and energy.[10]
Live performance
Diamond Platnumz and Flavour jointly performed Nana live at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) 2015, held in Durban, South Africa on Saturday, July 18, 2015.[11]
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