(Arusha) – Diamond Platnumz continues to dominate the music scene in East Africa and beyond, securing multiple records and awards that highlight his unrivaled influence in the music industry. The Tanzanian artist has made significant strides in both local and international music platforms, becoming a key figure in the growth of Bongo Flava.
Diamond’s YouTube viewership in 2024 surpassed 440 million, with his closest competitor, Rayvanny, achieving 182 million views. Even when doubled, Rayvanny’s total falls short of Diamond’s impressive numbers. On Boomplay, Diamond’s tracks were streamed more than 132 million times in 2024, surpassing other notable artists such as Jay Melody and Marioo. The influence of Diamond’s music is also evident on Spotify, where his track “Komasava,” featuring Khalil Harrison and Chley from South Africa, topped the charts with over 9 million streams, far outpacing other Tanzanian hits.
Diamond’s musical success is not just measured by streaming numbers, but by his continuous contributions to the growth of the music industry. As the CEO of WCB Wasafi, he has launched the careers of many successful artists, including Rayvanny, who won a BET Award in 2017. This marked a significant milestone as Rayvanny became the first Tanzanian to win the prestigious award, second only to Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.
A look at his achievements shows that Diamond is not only a local star but a regional powerhouse. He is the only East African artist with multiple music videos on YouTube, each with over 100 million views, including hits like “Yope Remix” (2019), “Inama” (2019), “Waah!” (2020), “Jeje” (2020), and “Nana” (2015). Diamond has also gained a massive following on social media platforms, where he is the most influential artist in East and Central Africa, boasting millions of followers across Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube.
His achievements extend beyond music, as he became the first Tanzanian artist to own both a radio station and a TV station under the Wasafi Media brand, following in the footsteps of Youssou N’Dour of Senegal. Diamond also made history by owning a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, joining the ranks of African music stars like Burna Boy, Davido, and D’Banj.
Moreover, Diamond has consistently won top accolades in the industry, with eight American AEAUSA awards and multiple MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs). In fact, Diamond was the first African artist to win two consecutive MTV EMAs, further cementing his international stature.
Rayvanny, who was once signed to Diamond’s Wasafi label, has also made significant strides in his own right, becoming the first African artist to perform at the MTV EMAs in 2021. His collaboration with Maluma on “Mama Tetema” received widespread acclaim, further demonstrating the international appeal of Tanzanian music.
