For many celebrities, the bounty of fame extends beyond having loads of money and the adoration of millions of fans.
Nasibu Abdul Juma Issack, popularly known by his stage name Diamond Platnumz, is a Tanzanian bongo Flava recording artist, dancer, philanthropist and businessman of Ha heritage.
He is the founder and CEO of WCB Wasafi Record Label, Wasafi Bet and Wasafi Media. Diamond has gained a massive following in East and Central Africa, and he became the first Africa-based artist to reach a combined total of one billion views on YouTube.Before he embarks on any trip for his shows, the host must provide a bottle of whiskey, 12 beers, 24 bottles of water at any time, 12 face towels, quality accommodation and more.
Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz raised his performance fee to between $70,000 and 100,000 (Sh8.3 million to Sh12 million), and so did his hospitality rider change. The singer no longer takes business class ticket flights for shows and only uses a private jet.
His manager and business associate Sallam SK made revelations during an interview with Wasafi TV.
Sallam also noted that other than the performance fees, event organisers also have to provide three SUVs for his transportation and cover meals and his accommodation in a five-star hotel throughout his trip.
Diamond performed at Azimio la Umoja’s final campaign rally early this month at the Kasarani Stadium.
The singer arrived in Kenya on board a private jet with his six-year-old daughter Princess Tiffah from South Africa and flew back to Johannesburg via the same means after his 10-minute performance at Kasarani.
Former Kenge Kenge band manager Issac Gem agrees with these demands, insisting riders are essential as a marketing tool for artists.
“We performed a lot in the Western countries, and our rider too had more or less the same demands. Food had to be standard, and we had to be provided with 24 bottles of water at any given time—a bottle of whiskey, 12 beers, 12 face towels and decent accommodations.
He continued, “Because we travelled with traditional drums, we also insisted on being provided with heater blows to heat the drums two hours before the show; as you know, most of those western countries are always cold,”.
He says about the band whose performance revolved around the orutu — a one-stringed fiddle popular in the Luo community — and drums.
The show could not go on for this band and many other stars if some strict conditions were not met.
