Tanzanian music superstar Diamond Platnumz has made a bold declaration, vowing to become the richest person in the world.
Speaking to fans during the launch of the Wasafi Festival 2024, the artist, whose real name is Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack, shared his ambitious goal.
“Ndoto yangu kubwa katika maisha ni kuwa tajiri namba moja duniani. Hiyo ndoto yangu. Na nakudhibitishia kwamba nitakua tajiri namba moja duniani (My biggest dream in life is to be the number one richest person in the world. That’s my dream. And I assure you, I will achieve it),” said Diamond.
He opened up about how he once disclosed to school students that he would one day acquire a Rolls Royce, a dream that came to pass.
“Katika Wasafi festival, kuna shule moja niliwaambia, ‘nitanunua siku moja Rolls Royce’, na iko imekaa pale inagarara maji sijui yapigwa jua, kwa sababu kwangu mimi naamini kila kitu kinawezekana. Nawadhibitishia kwamba mimi nitakua Mtanzania mwenye anawakilisha taifa kua tajiri namba moja duniani. (At the Wasafi Festival, I once told a school that I would one day buy a Rolls Royce, and now there it is, parked and under the sun. I believe anything is possible. I assure you, I will represent Tanzania as the number one richest person in the world,” Diamond told the audience.
Diamond is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in East Africa. Over the past decade, the 34-year-old musician has consistently dominated the music scene with hit after hit. His achievements extend beyond music, making him a household name across the continent.
One of Diamond’s most significant milestones came when he broke a record on YouTube, surpassing Nigerian superstar Davido. His music video for "Waah!" featuring Congolese legend Koffi Olomide garnered one million views within just eight hours of its release. This achievement eclipsed Davido’s record of reaching one million views in nine hours with his hit "Fem."
In 2020, Diamond became the first sub-Saharan African artist to surpass one billion views on YouTube. His YouTube channel now boasts over 9 million subscribers, making him one of Africa's most followed musicians on the platform.
However, Diamond’s success is not just due to his musical talent. He is known for his strategic approach to his career, investing significant effort into producing high-quality videos and marketing his work effectively.
Kevin Meenan, YouTube’s music trends manager, praised Diamond’s dedication, noting that his marketing strategies should be a model for other African artists.
Diamond’s YouTube content includes not just official music videos but also documentary-style and behind-the-scenes footage, engaging his audience and attracting new subscribers.
While Diamond Platnumz aims to become the world’s richest person, the current title is held by some of the most powerful figures in the business world.
As of 2024, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is one of the richest individuals, with a net worth of over $230 billion. Following him is Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, with a net worth of approximately $200 billion. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, also ranks among the top, with a net worth of around $160 billion.
Nonetheless, Diamond’s influence and ambition continue to grow, making him not only a musical icon but also a figure to watch in the world of business.