Diamond is lifted by his dancers.
HE is among the most sought after African artistes and his performance in Kigali proved just that.
Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz, real name Nasibu Abdul Juma,
descended on Kigali for the end of year East African Party and proved
his musical prowess in a stunning 2-hour performance in the parking yard
of Amahoro National Stadium.
In a well-attended concert organised by East African Promoters, the
Tanzanian star got the crowd singing along and dancing as he performed a
myriad of songs that have made him a household name.
Diamond on stage.
The award-winning singer, with the assistance of his Yamoto Band and
back up dancers, belted out song after song amidst cheers from the
enthusiastic crowd.
Diamond sang songs including Nimpende Nani, Ukimwona, Nataka Kulewa, Kesho, the much loved Mdogo Mdogo and Ntampata Wapi, among others, before wrapping up his act with the mega hit Number One, which he performed three times.
Everybody wanted to take a picture of Diamond with their phones
Along with his backup singers, and dancers, the athletic singer
worked the crowd to screams with waist shaking and acrobatic dance moves
to prove why he is a continental force.
Amidst his performance, Diamond engaged the crowd, inviting some
members of the audience onto the stage. He ensured that every minute
counts, and to that effect, no one was seen leaving the show because of
boredom. The singer also took a moment to introduce his new found love
Ugandan socialite Zari Hussein.
A thrilled crowd cheer Diamond.
A bunch of local artistes’ curtain raised at the concert to a charged
home crowd. Oda Paccy, Social Mula and Aristide worked the crowd with
commendable live music.
This was followed by a long pause in which emcees Anita Pendo and
Tino engaged the crowd singing, dancing and cracking all sorts of jokes.
Minister of Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza was among the revellers.
After the break, home girl Knowless took the stage and performed some of her popular songs including Baramushaka and Sinzakwibagirwa among others.
Knowless was followed by Jay Polly who in the middle of his
performance criticized Diamond for earlier comments at a press
conference that Rwanda artistes are not doing enough to market their
music beyond Rwandan borders.
Diamond pauses to acknowledge cheers from the crowd
The PGGSS 4 winner did not seem impressed by Diamond’s comments,
stating that Rwandan music is going in the right direction and that it
is quite disrespectful for a visiting artiste to come and belittle what
has been done in recent years.
Curtain risers included Jay Polly (R) and other local artists.
“There is a visiting artiste who will be performing here. I heard in
the news that he said that Rwandan artistes don’t know what they are
doing. How true is that? Do you agree with him? How is it possible that
we do not know what we are doing?” an unimpressed Jay Polly asked the
crowd.
“Rwandan music is here to stay. We will take it to the desired levels
but seeing where we are today, no one has the right to say that we do
not know what we are doing,” the rapper added.
Unlike other artistes who decided to humbly take Diamond’s advice,
Jay Polly spoke out but most fans would later agree with the Tanzanian,
as he put up a show that separated him from his local compatriots.
The concert was well attended.
“It is clear that Diamond’s performance stood out and it was a class
act compared to earlier performances,” said Nina Uwase, one of the show
goers.
In fact, some musicians had to swallow the bitter truth and join the
crowd to cheer on Diamond as he put up a spectacular performance, which
perhaps made Jay Polly think twice about his earlier remarks.
Tijara Kabendera introduces Diamond
Before Diamond hit the stage, co-MC Tidjara Kabendera announced that
some local artistes did not keep time, hence the main artiste, who
arrived on time, would perform first. As a matter of fact, Diamond went
on stage at 9pm.
The two remaining performers, Urban Boys and King James performed
last, albeit to empty chairs and a few scattered people. King James, who
tried his best to impress the thinning crowd, cried foul that he had
arrived on time but there was a mix up.
Diamond's dancers.
In the end, it is Diamond who stole the show. Amidst his performance,
Diamond took time off to confess his love for Rwanda and its people, at
some point joking that he will not be going back home.
The Tanzanian artiste put up a good performance. (All photos by J. Mbanda)
But that was only a joke as the Tanzanian globetrotting star posted
on his Instagram that he is headed to Nigeria next for African football
awards, The Glo-CAF Awards 2015. By Stephen Kalimba, The News Times
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