Image: COURTESY
Bongo artist Diamond Platnumz also known as Simba has revealed why he is yet to grace a Nigerian stage despite his musical success both locally and internationally.
Speaking during a press conference with Tanzanian reporters the 'Jeje' hitmaker revealed that he feels disrespected by the West African country as they tend to treat him and other big deal artists like they are still down the food chain.
"Nigerians have a habit of underestimating you even though they know your power," started off the father of 4.
He went on to intimate that one of the main reasons he has not graced a Nigerian stage in the recent past is the sheer fact that his team and the organisers cannot seem to agree on a price because of that undermining people factor.
"So when a show comes up I say 'I want this much, if you do not want to (pay that amount) then I will not go,' and that is it short and clear," the 'Gere' hitmaker said assertively.
The Tanzania singer went on to highlight some stardom things that he requires, such as a private jet noting as an artist he has gotten to that level and he needs to be treated accordingly.
"If you want me to come, arrange for a jet, I’ll come. Recently you saw me traveling, I was traveling in a jet, I deserve that.
Image: COURTESY
"If you think you don’t want to arrange a jet for me, I won’t go. I’ll eat, I can’t miss a meal, I’ll eat at Mama Dangote’s. If I come to you asking for food money, won’t you give it to me, sheikh?” Added Simba.
On his plans to fully go global, that is after "conquering Africa," as the bongo artist put it, Diamond highlighted that the whole process required meticulous planning which he has been doing.
He also gave artists who have conquered both areas their flowers.
“Transitioning from Africa to the world requires planning. Those who preceded us were justified in doing so because when their songs were released, they became hits across Africa, so their task was to move from Africa to the global stage.
As we were working to conquer Africa, they were planning to go global. The results you see now were achieved while we focused on Africa’s success and they built a global presence.
That’s why now I can fill stadiums in Africa, while they fill stadiums globally. Since the end of the year before last and all through last year, we have been working on our journey to go global," Diamond candidly said.
Finishing up he maintained he does not allow other people to pressure him saying, "If someone pushes you, saying ‘look at them, look at them,’ I respond, ‘go ahead, do it yourself, aren’t you Tanzanian too?’ You must plan strategically.”
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