A petition signed by more than 19,000 people has been launched to disqualify Tanzanian recording artist Diamond Platnumz from the BET Awards taking place on 27 June.
KAMPALA | LIFESTYLE UGANDA — The petition to disqualify Diamond Platnumz from the BET Awards, which will take place on 27 June, has been signed by more than 19,500 people. He is nominated for Best International Act alongside Nigerian artists Burna Boy and Wizkid.
- Change Tanzania launches a petition to disqualify Diamond Platnumz from the BET Awards
- Maria Sarungi Tsehai founded Change Tanzania.
- He is up against Burna Boy and Wizkid for the Best International Act nomination.
- Mbosso and BET Award winner Rayvanny are among the artists benefitting from the deal.
- Visit the Lifestyle Uganda homepage for more stories like his.
In a petition circulating online, over 19,000 people want Diamond Platnumz disqualified from the BET Awards.
Diamond Platnumz is nominated alongside fellow African artists Burna Boy and Wizkid for Best International Act.
Change Tanzania, a social movement working to bring positive and sustainable change to the country published the petition.
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In their petition, the petitioners say Waah’s hitmaker used his artistry and influence to publicly support the autocratic rule of the late president John Magufuli.
“Diamond Platnumz is a world-renowned Tanzanian artist who used his fame and talent to whitewash and deodorize the brutality of the late dictator John Magufuli and his regime,” Change Tanzania said.
“Diamond is also a close friend and business ally of Paul Makonda, the former governor who openly harassed and repressed LGBTI people.” ”Additionally, Makonda was designated by the US State Department for violating human rights in 2020, including cracking down on freedom of expression.”
”In 2020, Makonda was also designated by the US State Department for gross human rights violations, including cracking down on freedom of expression and association.”
According to the petition, Diamond endorsed this brutal dictator in 2020, dedicated a song to him (‘Magufuli Baba Lao’) and took to the stage several times with him during the election campaign, despite huge outcry locally and internationally.
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The petition highlights the musician’s refusal to show solidarity with struggling artists, like rappers Roma Mkatoliki and Nay wa Mitego, who were arrested for using music as a platform for protest against abuses of human rights and regimes of authoritarianism last year.
”Diamond Platnumz used his fame and star power to soften the image of the dictator and his collaborators in order to protect and expand his personal and business interests.”
”Platnumz used his star power to soften the image of a brutal dictator and his collaborators in order to protect and expand his business interests.”
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The group believes that “once BET independently verifies these facts, it will be clear that Diamond Platnumz does not deserve any recognition in these prestigious awards.”
Diamond Platnumz signed a 360-degree strategic partnership deal in May with Warner Music Group and Ziiki Media, making him East Africa’s most successful musician. Among the artists benefiting from the agreement are Mbosso and Rayvanny, the winner of the 2017 BET Award.
Who founded Change Tanzania?
Media personality and former communication expert Maria Sarungi Tsehai founded Change Tanzania, which has mounted multiple social media campaigns, including a call to repeal a section of Tanzania’s Financial Act that authorizes a SIM card tax, and an ongoing petition against the Cybercrimes Act.
