Diamond Platnumz, a Tanzanian musician who is well-known for his intense live performances, claims he has never entertained the idea of jumping into an East African crowd.
The Yatapita hitmaker revealed his preference to stay on stage during his performances in a recent interview with Nairobi News.
"No, I cannot dive into the crowd, especially in East Africa, because of my security and safety," he explained.
Following a widely shared social media video in which Diamond declared his intention to follow in the footsteps of another artist who had braved the sea of fans during a recent performance in Nairobi, the clarification was made.
On social media, Kenyans offered the celebrity some amusing suggestions.
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They mockingly advised him to cling fast to his expensive shoes and chains since the mob would quickly "redistributing" them if he dared to act so recklessly.
Social media's sobering humor served as a reminder of how erratic and boisterous East African crowds can be and how fans' fervor can occasionally verge on fanatical adoration.
It's interesting to note that crowd-diving is not a brand-new idea in East African entertainment.
When Jose Chameleone, a singer from Uganda, performed in the Rwandan capital of Kigali in 2012, the crowd went into a frenzy.
The Valu Valu performer jumped into the throng, almost starting a stampede as excited fans screamed to get up close and personal with their idol.
Diamond's remarks highlight the fascinating dynamics of performing in East Africa, where it can be difficult to strike a balance between security concerns and fan adoration.
Even though he still has the ability to enthrall audiences with his music, it appears that the excitement of crowd-surfing will only be experienced on other stages and in other locations.
The extraordinary performer recently commanded the stage at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi while clad in an eye-catching all-red ensemble.
He was able to keep a cautious distance from the boisterous audience while he performed, which demonstrated his unwavering commitment to putting his safety and security first.
In addition to thrilling the crowd, the performance highlighted the fine line that must be drawn between putting one's own well-being first and producing a show that will be remembered.
