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Why I don’t feature in local awards – Diamond Platnumz

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Multi-award-winning Tanzanian musician Diamond Platnumz has shed light on why he has shunned featuring in many music awards from his home country.

Diamond Platnumz, while speaking in a wide-ranging interview at a press briefing, recently said he distanced himself from most awards because he was sceptical of their credibility.

‘’Do you know why I wouldn’t have wanted to be involved? Because the awards were managed in a way that was not fair,’’ the 34-year-old Mapoz crooner said.

His absence from local music awards was particularly noticeable in 2023, when he won Best African Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

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He beat music heavyweights across the continent, such as Burna Boy and Asake from Nigeria and South African DJ Tyler ICU.

But back home in Tanzania, he was not featured in most local awards for best male artist.

Diamond also said that he distanced himself from local awards because of the problem of artist control.

‘’You know I do not want awards out of sympathy; when I deserve it, give it to me, when I don’t, then deny me. Most of the time, the organising committee wants to control you. At my age, I can’t do that,’’ he said at the press conference.

Awards organisers in Tanzania deny claims of impartiality, saying awards are given to artists who have applied and presented their materials to be screened by a jury panel.

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Critics of Diamond have accused him of being an artist who struggles to play by the rules.

Last year, he was banned by Tanzania’s music regulatory board, Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA), from performing any shows or organising any concerts in Tanzania.

BASATA announced the ban after the Diamond performed “Mwanza” in Tanzania. Mwanza was released in 2018 and outlawed by authorities for its highly explicit content.

Diamond’s team told fans on social media at the time that efforts were being made to resolve the ban and put all of Diamond’s shows back on schedule.

Diamond says his music goals have gone beyond clutching local awards, as he has his eyes set on claiming the global music stage for Tanzanian music.

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He also took a swipe at Nigerian show promoters, whom he says underestimate him as an artist.

“Nigerians have a habit of underestimating you, even though they know your power. So when a show comes up, I say I want this much. If you don’t want to, I won’t go. That’s it. Short and clear.’’

Conversations around Diamond’s absence at local awards have reared up, especially as the music awards season for 2024 fast approaches.

Nominees for major music awards events across the continent are scheduled to be announced before the middle of the year, and music fans in Tanzania hope Diamond Platnumz will be on the nominees list, getting all the awards that he truly deserves.

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Entertainment

My Wife Knew About Actresses I Dated, Says Yinka Quadri

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Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.

The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.

Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.

“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.

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He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.

“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.

The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.

“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.

Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.

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Prioritise Talent Over Social Media, Fisayo Abebi Tells Young Actors

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Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.

“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.

She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.

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“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.

The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.

She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.

Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.

“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.

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She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.

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Regina Daniels Spent Months In Wheelchair Due To Health Issues

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Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.

The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”

Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.

“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.

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She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.

“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.

According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”

“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.

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“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.

Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.

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