Inside Ksh11.9M Performance By Diamond During Azimio Rally

Diamond was considered as one of the guest music performers for three weeks before he came into the fully-packed event

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Aug 8, 2022 - 08:17 Updated: Aug 8, 2022 - 08:19
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Inside Ksh11.9M Performance By Diamond During Azimio Rally
Diamond Platnumz with Raila Odinga during the Azimio la Umoja rally on August 6, 2022. /FILE

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition had paid award-winning Tanzanian singer Diamond Platnumz to perform at their last mega-rally in Kasarani, Nairobi on Saturday, August 6.

Sources privy to the matter had revealed that the coalition paid Ksh11.9 million for the performance which lasted 10 minutes, which is US$100,000 derived from current exchange rates.

This means that the Jeje hitmaker was paid around Ksh1.2 million per minute of the performance which saw him endorse the coalition's presidential candidate, Raila Odinga, for the presidency in the August 9 elections.

An image of Diamond Platnumz. /INSTAGRAM

The sources added that Diamond was considered as one of the guest music performers for three weeks before he came into the fully-packed event as a surprise.

A Tanzanian tycoon had reportedly paid the fees for the performance in support of Raila. Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho, was said to be one of the negotiators.

“Kindly this is off the record, but the conversation to have Diamond perform at Raila’s rally had been in the pipeline for three weeks. A tycoon in Tanzania actually sponsored the performance.

"I am not sure if the tycoon is a businessman or a politician but clearly it seems it's someone well known to Azimio's principals. However, what I’m sure of is that Diamond was paid $100,000 for the Kasarani performance,” the source disclosed, according to media reports.

Diamond had previously announced that he charges Ksh8.3 million for shows outside Tanzania but he knew he could earn an extra Ksh3.6 million for shows falling right in the middle of a political season.

His manager, Sallam SK, revealed in 2021 that his rate card was not cast in stone and was subject to price changes. Event organisers also have to consider the cost of special travel arrangements that include flying him out of the country through his private jet and the cost of food as well as accommodation for him and his crew.

The Bongo superstar pulled off an electrifying performance at the rally divided into two sets, each before and after Raila's speech.

He began by performing his 2019 hit ‘Baba Lao, with the lyrics tweaked a little in praise of Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua, such that he sang; "Martha Mama Lao, Raila Baba Lao…"

His performance was later subject to divided opinions by Kenyan artists and Kenyans on social media given that no Kenyan talent was chosen to headline the rally.

“Diamond in Kasarani was distasteful. Any Kenya talent would have sufficed,” rapper Juliani said.

“It says a lot that on this very definitive and historic moment in our nation none of our local musicians was found worthy! I don't blame anyone but the musicians!

"Unless our musicians rise to the occasion and take their place, this will only get worse!” comedian Eric Omondi weighed in.

Sauti Sol singer Bien however noted that most Kenyan artists did not want to get mixed up with the political affairs in the country, which is why many stayed away from the event.
The band this year nearly took the coalition to court for the illegal use of its hit song, Extravaganza, during the unveiling of Karua as Raila's running mate. It was released in 2019 where the group featured a number of artists including Nviiri, Bensoul, Crystal Asige, and Kaskazini.

A court gavel. /FILE

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