Bongo Flava sensation Diamond Platnumz has revealed a stunning story about his hit song “Komasava” that has taken the world by storm. The track, which features American pop and R&B star Jason Derulo, was initially rejected by one of the world’s largest record labels, Warner Music Group (WMG), despite the song’s undeniable potential. The rejection, however, did not stop the Tanzanian artist from trusting his instincts and releasing the song independently, ultimately making it a global sensation.
“Komasava,” which was released on July 26, quickly garnered immense popularity. Within just four months, it racked up over 31 million views on YouTube and dominated trending charts in Kenya and Tanzania. The song’s success extended beyond East Africa, with the track amassing more than 8.2 million streams on Spotify, marking it as one of Diamond’s biggest international hits.
However, what may come as a surprise to many is that when Diamond first submitted “Komasava” to Warner Music, the label dismissed it as “trash.” In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Diamond shared how he was shocked by their reaction. “I have a song, Komasava, that is now a global hit. When I submitted it to my distributor, Warner, they turned it down, calling it trash. They didn’t want to take it,” he revealed.
Diamond, who has a distribution deal with Warner, was required to submit his tracks for approval, but this time, the response was far from favorable. Despite the rejection, the artist remained confident in the song’s potential. “When they rejected the song, I went home and listened to it again. I thought, ‘Why don’t they understand this? This is a hit,’” Diamond said. Instead of giving up, he decided to release “Komasava” independently.
This decision turned out to be the right one. The song became a massive success, attracting international attention and rave reviews. It quickly found its way into the hearts of listeners around the world, with prominent figures such as U.S. soccer player Paul Pogba and singer Chris Brown publicly endorsing the track.
Despite the song’s success, Diamond remained adamant that he would not go back to Warner for assistance. “After the song blew up, they wanted it, but I told my manager I didn’t want them to have it because they initially rejected it,” Diamond explained. His refusal was fueled by the fact that the label had not believed in the song when it first mattered.
Diamond’s confidence in his music and his decision to go against the label’s judgment paid off. “Komasava” went on to receive attention from major international stars, and soon after, Jason Derulo reached out to collaborate on a remix of the track. Derulo’s involvement only helped propel the song to greater heights, further solidifying Diamond Platnumz as a global music force. The remix became a hit in its own right, expanding the reach of the song even further.
Reflecting on his experience, Diamond attributed Warner’s rejection to an outdated mindset prevalent in the music industry. “You know, working with these big labels, they often have an old-school mindset. They expect you to sing in English or stick to traditional sounds they believe will work. They couldn’t embrace this new sound,” he said, acknowledging the challenge of introducing new music styles to established record labels.
For Diamond, the experience has been a valuable lesson in trusting his instincts and the evolving nature of the music industry. By releasing “Komasava” independently, he has proven that there is a space for African artists to succeed globally without the approval of major record labels. This move has not only cemented his place in the international music scene but also opened the door for other African artists to take similar risks.
In the end, “Komasava” is a testament to Diamond Platnumz’s vision and his belief in his own artistry. Despite initial rejection, the song went on to break boundaries and achieve what many believed was impossible.
