Diamond Platnumz's manager, Sallam SK, has broken his silence on the commotion that marred the Furaha City Festival last night.
What was expected to be a night of celebration turned chaotic following a heated confrontation involving Kenyan artist Willy Paul and Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz.
Earlier, Willy Paul voiced his frustrations, accusing the event organizers of sidelining Kenyan artists in favor of their Tanzanian counterparts. Taking to Instagram, he lamented, "Tanzanian artists are being given priority at this event. This is sad. Why are Kenyans being disrespected in favor of Bongo artists?"
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He further alleged that Kenyan performers were pushed aside due to last-minute changes in the program, which prompted the crowd to demand fair treatment for local artists. Reports from attendees claimed that Willy Paul was denied a chance to perform, with Zuchu being given the stage instead. This reportedly led to a standoff, culminating in Diamond leaving the event without performing.
Responding to the claims, Sallam SK clarified that Diamond’s absence on stage was due to issues between the artist and the event organizers, unrelated to any other performer. He also addressed the incident involving Willy Paul, accusing him of creating unnecessary drama with Zuchu.
"It’s time artists focused on their work instead of faking controversies for clout. Willy Paul had an altercation with Zuchu, blocking her from getting on stage, claiming he was the headliner and should perform last.
Despite being called earlier, he refused, demanding to close the show. When Zuchu received cheers from the audience, he tried to force his way onto the stage during her slot.This has nothing to do with Diamond," Sallam SK explained.
Meanwhile, organizer Willis Raburu revealed they had made every effort to accommodate Diamond and his team but described their demands as excessive and difficult to meet.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about equal treatment for artists across the region, with fans and industry stakeholders weighing in on the controversy.
