Ten for twenty? Diamond Platnumz’s 10th anniversary in the game was all about 2020, after all


Muhidin Shangwe

@ShangweliBeria


That’s right. 

It may sound as a conspiracy theory even for the one writing this piece, and more so for our smarty analysts who cannot draw conclusions, unless something has been proven beyond reasonable doubt. But conspiracy theories are not easy to manufacture, or else everyone would have been good at that. So, while I understand the daunting challenge of conjuring one, I will take my chances. It is my new year’s resolution to take chances, anyway.

For the past two weeks or so, 10 and 20 must have been the most seen numbers for Tanzanians, especially those who have made it a habit of spending a big chunk of their time on TV screens and social media.

Here is why.

We know 2019 was coming to an end, it was only right that 2020 was everyone’s anticipation. That alone is two 20’s already. But it takes two 10’s to get 20, no? Thus, 2020 is essentially four 10’s put together. Caveat: this is not your textbook mathematics. It is an arithmetic license I believe I have earned over the years of being in social sciences. Am I not a proud ngwini? 

But the point is, Tanzania’s most decorated Afrobeat singer, Diamond Platnumz, was marking his 10th anniversary in the business and he decided to do it in pomp and style. The advertisement for the event only went with a catchphrase Diamond Platnumz 10, appearing repeatedly on social media platforms and Diamond’s own TV Station – Wasafi TV.

For those who haven’t been keeping tabs, Diamond took a train ride from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma – apparently his hometown – where he would stage a concert worth of a genius who has dominated music charts for a decade. I say apparently because, Diamond is not known for, to use the Hip Hop language, representing Kigoma. His parents may have come from there, but he was born and grown in Tandale, Dar es Salaam. His last album “A Boy from Tandale” sums it all. Tandale is his hood.

However, in 2012 Diamond was among various artists who performed “Leka Dutigite,” a song for Kigoma, by the sons and daughters of Kigoma. As such, his decision to mark the 10th anniversary in Kigoma can still be rationalized. Besides, it was probably a purely business decision. But wait.

As we rationalize, a little bit of profiling would put matters into perspective. Kigoma has long been regarded as one of the most marginalized regions in Tanzania, despite the fact that it sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s deepest. Historical grievances have made the region a hotbed of opposition politics since the multiparty system was reintroduced in 1992. It is home to Zitto Kabwe, a firebrand opposition figure, leader of the ACT– an opposition party which is on the rise. He also serves as a Member of Parliament for the urban constituency where Diamond was to stage the concert. See?

Now back to the matter at hand.  

During the Dar-Kigoma trip, Diamond had a good company of fellow artists and socialites in their dozens, purely for entertainment reasons in the 24-hour ride. One of the train coaches was transformed into a dance hall with active DJs. Everything, including travel and accommodation for the entire group, was apparently paid for by Diamond himself, a show of force rarely seen in the country’s modest showbiz. Add the fact that the concert in Kigoma’s Lake Tanganyika stadium would be free entrance! 

En route, the train was delayed in several occasions as thousands of adoring fans flocked train stations to get a glimpse of their adorned star. They were not disappointed. It was both a colossus buildup and a strong statement to his rivals in the business. The expectation was high and, for one good reason, I strongly urge that music fans in Kigoma should be forgiven for thinking they were in for a strictly musical treatment. That reason is the wisdom we find in the saying hindsight is 20/20.

 At the concert, Diamond performed his major hits to an ecstatic crowd. Then came the eyebrow-raiser as he started to sing praises for the ruling party – CCM. 

“CCM Oyee!,” screamed Diamond with total disregard of a portion of the crowd who only turned  up for the music, and who might as well harbor political views critical of the ruling party. But it was his night and he was determined to own it. At one point he hit the overdrive announcing that CCM will record a landslide victory in the 2020 general elections! Such was the level of disregard. 

Barely two months ago, Professor Jay, arguably Tanzania’s best rapper of all time, now an opposition Member of Parliament performed at Wasafi Festival, a concert organized by WCB, Diamond’s record label. Imagine if the rapper greeted the crowd with the victory sign, a trademark hand gesture for CHADEMA – the main opposition party. Such would be the equivalent of Diamond’s partisan performance. But even in his Wasafi Festival performance, Diamond stuck to music, not politics in the sense of explicitly expressing his political affiliation. It begs the question, what happened in Kigoma?

In Kigoma, the singer went on to squash the notion that life has gotten harder under President Magufuli’s tenure, flaunting his success as proof to that. He announced his riches and dismissed doubters as haters. In a way it was part of the ongoing rejoinder to ACT’s motto of Kazi na Bata (Work and Enjoyment) that seems to be a critical response of CCM’s motto of Hapa Kazi Tu (Here Just Work). Those who expected a different reaction from the crowd must have been disappointed as Mr. Diamond’s ‘motivational speech’ was met with deafening cheers.

Diamond’s ‘keynote address’ received a boost when President Magufuli called in. The microphone was placed on the singer’s mobile phone as the president was heard lauding Diamond, even saying the singer was a real man for what he has accomplished! Is it not that real men are successful? Our society equates masculinity with bravery and success, a fitting praise for the singer who has reached stardom from very humble beginnings. 

Mkubwa Fella, one of Diamond’s managers who is also a councilor and CCM cadre, along with the party’s Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Humphrey Polepole, were all present on stage as the phone call was made, beaming with smiles, urging the crowd to applaud. The president had one message for the people of Kigoma – he was not going to let them down. And he had a small token for them as well, pledging his government will pave the notorious Kigoma-Nyakanazi road, much to the joy of a gleeful crowd. For a moment the entire concert resembled a big election campaign launch.

Now that we know the drill, rumor has it that Diamond is being prepared to replace Zitto Kabwe as an MP for the Kigoma Urban constituency. It’s not farfetched if one takes into account that Harmonize, another famous singer and Diamond’s protégé who recently came out with a song entitled Magufuli, was a few months ago endorsed by President Magufuli to become an MP for Tandahimba. Conspiracy theory?