Mwijaku Criticises Diamond Platnumz’s Gospel Collaboration With Joel Lwaga
Diamond Platnumz’s collaboration with Tanzanian gospel singer Joel Lwaga has sparked a fresh debate after another public figure questioned the Bongo Flava star’s decision to take part in the project.
The latest criticism came on Wednesday, September 30, from Tanzanian media personality and influencer Mwijaku, who described Diamond’s decision to read Bible verses publicly and work with Lwaga as a mistake.
The comments have added another layer to the discussion that started after Diamond and Lwaga released their gospel-inspired song Nikumbuke on September 23.
About the Song
Nikumbuke, which translates to Remember Me, centres on faith, patience and asking God not to forget those waiting for their breakthrough.
The song brings together Lwaga, who is known for gospel music, and Diamond, whose career has largely been built around Bongo Flava and Afropop.
The pairing attracted attention partly because of the different musical spaces occupied by the two artistes.
“Unapowabariki wengine usiniache na mimi baba nakungojea.”
The lyric is a prayer asking God to remember the singer while blessing others.
The release also performed strongly in its early days. Lwaga said the song passed 500,000 YouTube views in less than 24 hours, celebrating its reception on social media.
Gospel Boundaries Questioned
The collaboration has also reopened a long-running conversation within Tanzania’s gospel music scene.
Veteran gospel singer Bahati Bukuku said she personally would not collaborate with secular artistes because of her spiritual convictions.
“Sidhani kama nuru na giza zinaenda sawa, siwezi fanya hivyo.”
Bukuku, however, stressed that she was expressing her own position and that other artistes were free to make their decisions.
Gospel singer Rose Muhando has similarly explained that she maintains her own boundaries around collaborations with secular musicians.
Diamond Explains His Position
Diamond has also addressed the reactions surrounding the song.
He said he had seen both the positive and negative responses, noting that many people had embraced the project while others had reservations.
The debate intensified after Diamond appeared at Lwaga’s birthday celebration on September 27, where he publicly read passages from the Bible.
He read from Luke 5:31-32 and also referred to the Book of Matthew while speaking about faith and reaching people who need guidance.
The Debate Continues
The criticism from Mwijaku adds to a growing conversation about the intersection of gospel music and secular artistes in Tanzania. While some have welcomed the collaboration as a bridge between different audiences, others argue that the line between gospel and secular music should remain clear.
For now, Nikumbuke continues to attract attention, with fans on both sides weighing in on whether the collaboration should have happened at all.