The artist will be launching his debut album in Nairobi on 14 March. 

A Boy From Tandale  album follows the release of chart-topping singles Hallelujah featuring Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage and Waka which features American rap artist Rick Ross, both singles which are featured in the album. The 18-track album carries the singer's lyrical prowess with accounts of love, heartache, success and more. 

The album also comes in the backdrop of the Tanzanian government move to ban the artist's music which it classified as 'obscene'. Diamond's two songs singled out by President Magufuli government were: Waka and Hallelujah all of which are top sellers, the songs were among 13 other singles banned for the same reason. The ban has however sparked harsh criticism against the government with many calling it retrogressive and dictatorial. The Tanzanian president has been quoted by various media in the country complaining about content from Tanzanian artist's music which he says is 'dirty'.

According to Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), 'the songs violated the ethics of regulations of broadcasting services (Content) 2005' The question however is; is it an exercise in futility?

Though Magufuli's government move to ban the songs might not come as a surprise, there are concerns that there's an attempt by the state to control the country's thriving art scene, with many expressing fears that the actions amounts to limiting the freedoms currently being enjoyed by the country's creative industry.

The award winning artist recently announced that he would be launching his own TV and Radio stations and has managed to get broadcasting licence from the government. The singer has also hinted at setting up another of his Wasafi Label branches in Kenya and is currently open for new talent to work with.

Diamond, who has made his name as a successful entrepreneur, was born Naseeb Abdul Juma and is best known for energetic pop music that fuses different African genres such as Taarab, hiphop, Afrobeat and r&b nuances. 

The bongo flava star is among top African pop artists; his debut album which features star acts from the continent and beyond is expected to cement his place in the African entertainment industry.

Check out the A Boy From Tandale tracklist below:

 

Tracklist:

01. Hallelujah (feat. Morgan Heritage)

02. Waka (feat. Rick Ross)

03. Baikoko

04. Pamela (feat. Young Killer)

05. Iyena (feat. Rayvanny)

06. Kosa Langu

07. Nikuone

08. Baila (feat. Miri Ben-Ari)

09. Sijaona

10. African Beauty (feat. Omarion)

11. Eneka

12. Fire (feat. Tiwa Savage)

13. Marry You (feat. Ne-Yo)

14. Number One (feat. Davido) [Remix]

15. Nana (feat. Flavour)

16. Kidogo (feat. P-Square)

17. Amanda (feat. Jah Prayzah)

18. Far Away (feat. Vanessa Mdee)

The album produced under his own stable Waasafi Records is available on all digital platforms.

 

 

|Afroway

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