Artistes are failing by copying Diamond Platnumz – Z Anto

Dar es Salaam born Bongo Flava star Ally Mohamed Ahmad aka Z Anto has weighed in on the new wave sweeping Tanzanian showbiz circles of artistes taking after totems.
Seeking suggestions from his fans, the singer who made a name for himself in 2015 courtesy of his Binti Kiziwi hit, wondered what animal his fans would identify him with in 2020.
“Wasanii wakali wote wana majina ya wanyama; Chui, Simba mwaka huu sijui ntabatizwa jina gani,” he posted on Instagram.
According to Z Anto, most artistes are playing catch-up to Tandale’s greatest icon Diamond Platnumz, a self-proclaimed Simba (lion), and making a fool out of themselves.
“Wasanii wengi wanafeli kwa kumuiga Diamond, huyu jamaa ana mbinu nyingi za kufanya muziki wake kubwa mkubwa, sasa jichanganye akupoteze” added Z Anto.
Change of heart or reverence to the man who offered him a deal to sign with Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) during his peak but he turned it down? In a twist, top Wasafi signees of that period have totems.
Speaking at the time, Z Anto stated that he had no choice but to walk away from the deal.
“Nilikuwa na maongezi na Babu Tale, nikapewa offer ya kurekodi na kujiunga na WCB, lakini mimi natamani kufanya kazi nje ya Wasafi, nipo tayari kufanya kazi na Tip Top Connection.
“Sisi ni washairi ujue na siku zote mafahali wawili hatuwezi kufanya kazi sehemu moja, nachoweza kuwaambia ni kwamba ukimya wangu una mambo mengi mazuri na saizi kuna label moja kubwa ambayo mimi natamani kwenda kufanya nao kazi na mambo yanakwenda sawa nitakaribia kuanza nao kazi muda si mrefu,” said Z Anto.
The latest entrant into the trend is Rajab Abdul Kahali alias Harmonize who eclipsed a lion tattoo by his former Wasafi boss – Platnumz, by inking a humongous elephant tattoo on his back.
A bold, unmissable imprint of his new moniker Tembo that has got his followers and nation talking as to the statement the Konde Gang star is making.
Diamond’s lion face piece is on the back of his hand.
Mbeya’s finest, Raymond Shaban Mwakyusa, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, on his part, identifies himself as Chui (leopard) – a widely revered cat, common in sub-Saharan Africa.
Recording artist and rapper Young Dee too boast an alias, Paka (cat). A homage to the species’ proverbial nine lives?