Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, professionally known as Diamond Platnumz, is a
Tanzanianbongo 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]
In 2021, Diamond together with his record label
WCB Wasafi[4] entered into a 360 Partnership with Warner Music Group.[5][6]
Career
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.
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.
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]
Commercial activities
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]