MY INTERVIEW WITH KENYAN OYGK MAGAZINE

Tanzanian ‘My Number One’ hitmaker Diamond Platinumz made an appearance on Coke Studio Africa this past weekend. We had the chance to catch up with him and talk to him about his music and his style.

Here’s what he had to share:

What inspired the name Diamond?

The name Diamond really started as a joke while I was singing in Wasafi before I became famous. In the beginning, I didn’t like the name and I would get annoyed every time I was referred to as Diamond. As a musician it can be a bit difficult to change your name last minute. Getting people used to your new name is an uphill task that I wasn’t ready to undertake. Since the name had stuck and I already had a large fan base that knew me as Diamond, I decided to maintain it.

How would you describe your music?

I describe my music as Bongo Flava. It’s a mixture of Afro Pop, R&B, hip hop and Arabic flavor.

What inspires your music?

I get my inspiration from the society and through my own life experiences.

Which musician inspires you and why?

I am inspired by Usher Raymond because of his undeniable vocal prowess and his breathtaking performances. Usher started singing at a tender age and despite the changing times, he has managed to retain his place as one of the greatest R&B musicians of all time. Usher is one guy I would like to collaborate with in the near future.

You are an award winning musician, how does that feel?

It feels great! I mean it shows that my fans appreciate what I am doing. I spend a lot of time in the studio with the hope of producing hit songs. The more I get awarded, the more pressure I get to remain relevant in the ever changing music industry. You know music is very dynamic, what was cool or hot last year is obviously not this year. I always ensure I stay abreast with the new music trends. Perhaps that is the reason I always scoop various awards.

What’s your biggest achievement?

I have achieved a lot! I thank God for my success so far, it wasn’t easy. Despite the fact that my mother can take care of herself, just being able to cater for her expenses on her behalf brings me great joy. I consider that as my biggest achievement. A lot of people make it and forget where they came from but not me, the place my mother holds can never be taken over by fame, money or my music career in general.

Tell me a bit more about your mother

Singing is one of the most fulfilling ways I express myself, and my mother had the necessary starting tools to help me. I started singing at tender age like Usher (laughs), and if my memory serves me right I remember I was in class five and by then. I couldn’t write my own lyrics therefore I would do an impression of some songs and practice repeatedly until I got the lyrics right. However my mother saw the talent in me and eventually she started writing lyrics for me. She always encouraged me to open my mouth in front of others and sing. It seems obvious but it takes a lot of courage, enormous desire and passion to sing in public. My mother instilled all the necessary requirements I needed to succeed in the music industry in Tanzania. She has played a very huge role in my life; she was and still is my mentor to date. Once I got to high school, my mother asked me to focus more on my studies and to put music aside. Nonetheless I continued writing and singing secretly because I felt as though music was my destiny.  As soon as I was done with secondary school, I remember I had to sell a ring my mother had given me to enable me to get a recording deal. Making it wasn’t as easy as it seems now. Then I had to lie to her that the ring had dropped into the pit hoping and praying that the songs I had recorded hit. Unfortunately selling the ring bore no fruits because those songs didn’t make it to the corridors of any radio station. Luckily, I met Papa Misifa who had heard my songs and from there, my music took a turn for the better. We released my first hit Nenda Kamwambie in 2009 and the rest is history.

What are your future plans?

Music is my main source of income currently but you never know what tomorrow holds for you. I have ventured into various businesses on the side to ensure I remain financially stable just in case I am unable to sing or dance in future (God forbid). I own a recording label called WCB where I manage and mentor a couple of upcoming artists. My main aim is to take the Tanzanian music industry into further heights.

How is the Tanzanian music industry?

The Tanzanian music industry is just like any other industry. There’s cut-throat competition among artists, a lot of imitation also, so you really have to strive to excel. However I think the competition is healthy as it keeps us (musicians) on our toes and also enables us to produce enjoyable and entertaining music.

What does music mean to you?

Music means a lot to me! Apart from earning me a living, music also gives me some sort of fulfillment. Money is secondary to me and has never been my main motivation to sing. Though nowadays the pursuit of money is almost directly linked to the pursuit of happiness. Many people argue that money is equal to happiness. However this mindset has led many people down a path that doesn’t suit them leaving them frustrated at their work places. The secret is to follow your dream, or pursue something you are good at and you will definitely succeed.