Tanzanian music heavyweight Diamond Platnumz has publicly pushed back against claims that East African artists are missing out on global music deals due to inflated streaming numbers.
In a strongly worded response on Sunday, July 21, Diamond addressed accusations that Tanzanian artists paid for their YouTube and streaming views — allegations he says are misinformed and disrespectful to artists who have built genuine fanbases.
His comments were in response to a media analyst, Mdau, who suggested that global record labels are hesitant to work with Tanzanian musicians because of doubts about the authenticity of their digital success.
Diamond, one of Africa’s most streamed musicians, didn’t hold back, saying critics should “research before they speak” and stop undermining the achievements of artists who have put in real work.
Diamond revealed details of his own experiences with major international music labels, directly challenging the notion that fake views have blocked global opportunities.
According to him, he previously signed a $1 million deal with Universal Music, which he later terminated.
More notably, he disclosed that Jay-Z’s label, Roc Nation, had offered him a $250,000 deal — an offer he ultimately turned down. He described it as an intentional move, suggesting it wasn’t the right fit strategically at the time.
Currently, Diamond is signed to Warner Music in a deal reportedly worth $5 million, further solidifying his position as one of the few African artists with real international reach. He highlighted this deal to prove that genuine success — not manufactured views — is what drives global partnerships.
Diamond’s comments come amid ongoing debates in the African music scene about digital streaming credibility, particularly on platforms like YouTube. As one of the first African artists to hit 1 billion views on the platform, Diamond has faced both praise and scrutiny over his numbers.
While some industry watchers believe fake streaming inflates an artist’s marketability, Diamond insisted that talent, consistency, and strategy matter more. “Let the system reward those with real fans, real work, and real impact,” he stated.
By going public with the details of his rejected Roc Nation offer and current Warner Music deal, Diamond aimed to shift the narrative from suspicion to recognition — not just for himself, but for Tanzanian music as a whole.