Diamond makes history, bags elusive MTV award
Tanzanian artist Diamond Platinumz on Sunday ended Africa’s drought for the coveted MTV Europe Music Awards, bagging the Best Worldwide Act India/Africa award that Kenya’s Sauti Sol missed last year.
Platinumz was up against Nigeria’s Yemi Alade, Davido along with South Africa’s AKA among other top Indian artists.
The “Nasema naye” hit maker brought an end to the Indian’s domination of the category that merges the two regions.
The merged category has been in existence since 2011.
Platinumz took to his social media platforms to thank fans who voted him stating, “This is not my Trophy it’s our trophy, me and you! Because I believe without your Votes I wouldn’t have made it… wanna thank God my Africa and All Worldwide fans, my fellow Artists, Media without forgetting my Family and Management….Many thanks to @MtvEma & @mtvbaseafrica for recognize my efforts.”
Last year, Kenyan male band Sauti Sol had won the Best African Act category but on proceeding to the merged category they lost to India’s Mohammed Assaf.
Other Kenyan artists who have come close to the award are Camp Mulla, who were nominated in the Best African Act category in 2012 but lost the award to Nigeria’s D’ Banj.
Kenyan music group Kleptomaniax were nominated in the category in 2005 but lost out to 2Face Idibia, while Jua Cali’s nomination in 2007 ended up in a win for Nigeria’s D’Banj.
This year’s MTV EMAwards were held at the Mediolanum Forum in Millan, Italy and had Justin Bieber as the biggest winner bagging five awards.
The 23rd edition of the annual awards will be held on November 6 2016 at Ahoy Rotterdam in Netherlands.
