Diamond Platnumz joins Ja Rule, Asake for HOT 97 Summer Jam takeover
What you need to know:
- This marks a major milestone for the Bongo Flava artiste and signals his growing influence on the global music stage.
Tanzanian music star Diamond Platnumz is set to perform at the prestigious HOT 97 Summer Jam 2025, scheduled for Friday, June 20, at the Prudential Centre Arena in Newark, New Jersey.
The arena, with a capacity of nearly 17,000, will host one of the most anticipated hip-hop festivals of the year, with Diamond being one of the key international acts featured on the lineup.
This marks a major milestone for the Bongo Flava artiste and signals his growing influence on the global music stage.
Summer Jam, hosted annually by New York’s influential HOT 97 radio station, has previously featured heavyweights such as Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Burna Boy.
Diamond’s appearance places East African music in the spotlight at a time when African genres are increasingly gaining global traction.
Diamond’s upcoming U.S. appearance follows a successful three-city UK tour, which concluded earlier this week. The tour included sold-out shows in London, Manchester, and Glasgow.
The tour began on Friday, June 13, at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, where Diamond became the first East African artist to fill the 5,000-seat venue. The Royal Albert Hall administration honoured him with a certificate in recognition of the achievement.
On Saturday, June 14, the artist performed in Manchester at the Manchester Academy, followed by a final UK stop on Sunday, June 15, in Glasgow at the SWG3 venue.
Across all three shows, fans were treated to an energetic mix of Diamond's biggest hits from the last decade, including Fire, Make Me Sing, Marry You, Shuu, Waah, and Komasava.
Insider sources suggest his set will feature a live band, dancers, and possibly a new unreleased single. There is also speculation of surprise collaborations with U.S.-based artists.
Diamond, born Nasibu Abdul Juma, has played a central role in popularising Bongo Flava globally. Through his label WCB Wasafi and collaborations with international stars like Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, and Alicia Keys, he has expanded his reach beyond East Africa to fans in Europe, North America, and the diaspora.
His inclusion in the Summer Jam lineup has generated excitement across the East African community.
Summer Jam 2025 will be livestreamed globally, giving fans around the world a chance to watch Chibu Dangote perform alongside some of the biggest names in contemporary hip hop and R&B.
