Diamond Platnumz

Biography

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. He became the first Africa-based artist to reach 900 million views on YouTube.
After signing a record deal with Universal Music in 2017, Platnumz released his third studio album, A Boy from Tandale×A Boy From Tandale2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Hallelujah3:432Waka3:143Baikoko3:074Pamela3:535Iyena4:416Kosa Langu4:177Nikuone4:328Baila4:059Sijaona3:3410African Beauty3:4711Eneka3:3512Fire3:3713Marry You4:0714Number One (Remix)3:2315Nana3:1516Kidogo4:0317Amanda3:1918Far Away3:43 (2018).
In 2021, Diamond together with his record label WCB Wasafi entered into a 360 Partnership with Warner Music Group.

Career

He started his music career in 2006 at the age of 15 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.
His breakthrough hit single "Kamwambie×Kamwambie28 November 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Nenda Kamwambie4:002Nitarejea3:333Nakupa Moyo Wangu4:124Nalia Na Mengi4:205Jisachi4:256Wivuwivu4:087Mbagala4:058I Hate You3:559Binadamu4:3310Wakunesanesa4:3011Si Uko Tayari3:3012Toka Mwanzo5:00" was released in 2010. The song won three Tanzania Music Awards. 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. 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. With over 100 Million views on YouTube, Waah is one of the most watched Tanzanian music videos on YouTube.
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. First Of All has been described as a blend of R&B, Bongo Flava and Afrobeats and to promote the EP, Diamond Platnumz for the first time in Tanzania premiered all music videos from the FOA EP at the cinema.
In 2023 Diamond Platnumz released his second collaboration with Congolese musician, Koffi Olomide marking his second feature with Koffi after Waah released in 2020.
In 2023, Diamond Platnumz won his third MTV EMA as the Best African Actor.

Personal life

Diamond is a Muslim by religion. With his former partner, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan, he has two children. He became a father for the third time with Tanzanian model Hamisa Mobetto. As of 2019 Diamond was dating Kenyan model and musician Tanasha Donna, with whom he fathered one son, born in October 2019. 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. He also has two sisters, musician Queen Darleen, and entrepreneur-socialite Esma Platnumz.
In 2010, he endorsed Tanzania's dominant ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and its presidential candidate, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. He has released further songs with lyrics supporting CCM, such as "CCM Tusonge Mbele" ("CCM Let's Move Forward").
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.
Diamond has also been said and in various occasions confirmed that he is dating fellow WCB Wasafi label mate, Zuchu.

Commercial activities

On 23 January 2019, Diamond Platnumz was officially introduced as Pepsi Brand Ambassador in East Africa.
On 13 September 2019, Diamond Platnumz became Brand Ambassador of Parimatch Africa.
On 25 September 2019, Diamond was named the Nice One Brand Ambassador.
On 4 March 2020, Diamond Platnumz was unveiled as the new Brand Ambassador of Coral Paints (Tanzania).
On 11 December 2021 he launched Wasafibet in partnership with Odibets-a Kenyan Sports betting company.
In April 2022 he was unveiled as the new brand ambassador for Airtel Tanzania.

Albums

2010: Kamwambie
2012: Lala Salama
2018: A Boy from Tandale
2022: First Of All

Featured in

"Watora Mari" (Jah Prayzah ft. Diamond Platnumz)