Diamond Platnumz Biography
Diamond Platnumz is one of the most loved and successful artists in Africa today. His real name is Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack. Many fans simply call him “Simba” because the word means lion in Swahili, and he fights hard for everything he has achieved.
He is known as the king of Bongo Flava, a music style that started in Tanzania. Bongo Flava mixes local Swahili lyrics with hip-hop, R&B, reggae, and African beats. Diamond did not come from a rich family. He started with almost nothing, yet today he is a singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, businessman, and owner of one of the biggest music labels in East Africa, Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB Wasafi).
In 2020, he became the first African artist living on the continent to reach one billion views on YouTube. Millions of people stream his songs every day on Spotify, Boomplay, and Apple Music. His journey from a poor neighborhood to international stages shows that talent, hard work, and courage can change anyone’s life. This article tells his full story in a simple and clear way so that every reader can understand and feel inspired.
Diamond Platnumz Early Life
Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack was born on October 2, 1989, in Tandale, a crowded and poor area in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Tandale is known for being one of the toughest neighborhoods in the city. Life there was difficult, and many families struggled to have enough food and money.
Diamond was raised mainly by his mother, Anna Waziri, who worked hard to take care of the family. For many years, he believed his stepfather was his real father. Only in 2025 did he publicly share that his biological father is Abdul Juma, something he discovered later in life. This news came out during an emotional interview on the show Way Up With Angela Yee.
Growing up, Diamond had to help his mother earn money. As a young boy, he sold second-hand clothes in the streets, worked as a photographer, and even pumped fuel at a petrol station. He attended Chakula Bora Nursery School in 1995, then moved to Tandale Magharibi Primary School from 1996 to 2002. He finished secondary school in 2006, but he did not go to university because music was already calling him.
His family wanted him to study and find a safe job, but Diamond loved singing and dancing. He spent hours listening to Michael Jackson, Usher, Ne-Yo, and local Tanzanian stars. At just 14 years old, he started writing his own songs. Recording studios were expensive, and he had no money. One day, he made a brave decision: he sold his mother’s gold ring to pay for his first studio session. His mother was upset at first, but later she became his biggest supporter when she saw how serious he was about music.
Those early struggles in Tandale shaped Diamond’s character and his music. Many of his songs talk about love, pain, and never giving up, feelings he learned from real life in the streets.
Diamond Platnumz Career
Diamond started recording music in 2007 while he was still selling clothes to survive. His very first single, “Mbagala,” came out in 2009 and quickly became popular on local radio stations. In 2010, he released his first full project, an album called Kamwambie.
Everything changed in 2013 with the song “Number One,” featuring Nigerian superstar Davido. The music video exploded across East Africa, and people played the song everywhere, in buses, clubs, and homes. That same year, Diamond founded his own record label, Wasafi Classic Baby, often called WCB Wasafi. The label became a home for many young talented artists such as Rayvanny, Harmonize, Mbosso, Lava Lava, Queen Darleen (his own sister), and later Zuchu.
From 2014 to 2025, Diamond released many hit songs that ruled the charts. Here are some of his biggest tracks over the years:
- Number One (feat. Davido) – 2013
- Nana (feat. Mr Flavour) – 2015
- Salome (feat. Rayvanny) – 2016
- Eneka – 2017
- Hallelujah (feat. Morgan Heritage) – 2017
- Waka (feat. Rick Ross) – 2018
- Baba Lao – 2018
- Inama (feat. Fally Ipupa) – 2019
- Waah! (feat. Koffi Olomide) – 2020
- Naanzaje – 2021
- Kachiri – 2022
- Mapoz (feat. Jay Melody & Mr Blue) – 2024
- Anatekeleza (Kisawasawa) – 2025
- Abayeke (feat. DJ Phaphane) – 2025
In 2018, he signed a major distribution deal with Universal Music Africa. In 2021, he partnered with Warner Music, making his songs available worldwide. Besides music, Diamond built a real entertainment empire. He owns Wasafi FM (a popular radio station), Wasafi TV, Wasafi Bet (a betting company), and he organizes the huge Wasafi Festival every year in different cities across Tanzania, Kenya, and beyond.
Diamond Platnumz Achievements
Diamond Platnumz has collected many awards and broken records. Here are the most important ones:
- First African artist living in Africa to reach 1 billion YouTube views (2020)
- Most streamed Tanzanian artist on Boomplay every year from 2019 to 2025
- Winner of MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2015
- Multiple MTV Africa Music Awards and Channel O Music Awards
- BET Awards nomination for Best International Act in 2014 and 2016
- Over 28 major music awards across Africa
- Tanzania Music Awards winner more than 15 times between 2010 and 2020
He is also a successful businessman. In 2025, his net worth is estimated at around 10 million US dollars. He earns money from music streaming, live concerts, brand deals with companies like Pepsi, Parimatch, and Uber, plus his own businesses such as Wasafi Media and his perfume line called Chibu.
Every year, Forbes Africa and other magazines list him among the richest and most influential musicians on the continent.
Diamond Platnumz Personal Life
Diamond has four beautiful children with three different women. Their names and mothers are:
- Princess Tiffah (born 2015) and Prince Nillan (born 2016) – mother: Zari Hassan (Ugandan-South African businesswoman)
- Prince Naseeb Junior (born 2016) – mother: Tanasha Donna (Kenyan radio presenter and singer)
- Prince Abdul (born 2018) – mother: Hamisa Mobetto (Tanzanian model and actress)
His relationships have often been in the news. He was in a long relationship with Zari Hassan and they got engaged, but they separated in 2018. After that, he dated Tanasha Donna for some time, and later Hamisa Mobetto. In early 2025, after Ramadan, Diamond married his longtime girlfriend and label artist Zuchu (real name Zuhura Othman Soud) in a private ceremony. The wedding news made headlines across East Africa, and fans were very happy for the couple.
Even with all the attention on his love life, Diamond always says that his children are the most important part of his life. He supports them fully and spends time with each one.
Conclusion
Diamond Platnumz’s story is one of the greatest success stories in African music. Born on October 2, 1989, in a poor area of Dar es Salaam, he faced many challenges, yet he never stopped chasing his dream. Today, at 36 years old in 2025, he is not only a singer but also a businessman, a father, a husband, and a role model for millions of young people.
His music brings happiness and hope to fans all over the world. His businesses create jobs and opportunities for other artists. Most importantly, Diamond shows that no matter where you start in life, hard work, belief in yourself, and love for what you do can take you to the top. He is truly the lion, Simba, of African music.
FAQs
How old is Diamond Platnumz in 2025?
He is 36 years old (born October 2, 1989).
Where is Diamond Platnumz from?
He was born and raised in Tandale, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Who is Diamond Platnumz’s wife in 2025?
He married singer Zuchu in a private ceremony in 2025.
How many children does Diamond Platnumz have?
He has four children: Princess Tiffah, Prince Nillan, Naseeb Junior, and Prince Abdul.
What was Diamond Platnumz’s first big song?
His first major hit was “Number One” featuring Davido in 2013.
How did Diamond Platnumz become rich?
Through music sales, streaming, concerts, his record label Wasafi, radio and TV stations, brand endorsements, and other businesses.
What is Diamond Platnumz’s net worth in 2025?
Around 10 million US dollars according to Celebrity Net Worth and Forbes Africa reports.