Tanzania’s Diamond Platnumz has another reason to smile following his selection as one of the African stars tasked with producing music adaptations for the Fifa Soccer World Cup in June.
The singer was chosen by Tim Horwood, former creative director of MTV Base, who was awarded the contract by Coca-Cola to produce the Southern and East African music adaptations for the highly anticipated event.
Horwood chose artists from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and SA. They include SA hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest, Sami Dan from Ethiopia; Lizha James from Mozambique; Ykee Benda, an exciting new artist from Uganda; and Diamond Platnumz.
They are tasked with producing songs which will depict the colours and styles of their countries and challenge negative international stereotypes of Africa.
The songs will be in the World Cup’s pool of global songs alongside the official Coca-Cola World Cup anthem, “Colours” composed by America’s Jason Derulo.
“Colours” is based on the idea that music brings people together.
“Colours is about how we all have an identity. And people should be proud of who they are,” says Derulo.
Artists from all over the world were invited to add their local flavour and represent their regions, creating a pool of songs that will expose audiences to a global diversity.
Most of the collaborations were done digitally, but SA hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest travelled to Los Angeles to record with Derulo.
Excited by the opportunity to add the East African flavour at the forthcoming World Cup, Diamond Platnumz took to social media to share the news without revealing any details.
