Tanzanian bongo artiste Diamond Platnumz has released another video hit song, Kanyaga, which he has alleged it is an 'anthem'.
The song has been received well with a number of social media users already talking about it with the harsh tag #KANYAGA.
However, as far as the song is trending, a number of things should not be ignored. It seems like the song is another version of the Kenyan 2018 hit song, Kanyaga lami, which was sung by Timeless Noel and Jabidii.
The beats and melody for the two songs are almost the same, but the message is different.
In the Kenyan Kanyaga lami, the song is gospel-like, which encourages people to go after their dream without giving up in life nor turning their faces from God.
"Kanyaga Lami" is a Kenyan 'slang' word meaning "Walking". It is derived from Psalms 119:105 - "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path" (KJV) This song is to encourage us to read God's WORD which will help us to WALK in the right path and direction in our lives," read Timeless Noe's caption on YouTube.
On the hand, Diamond's Kanyaga encourages people to forget and walk away, or rather step on, things and people that do not add value to their lives.
In both songs, the singers talk about slay queens but is different motives. In the Kenyan Kanyaga lami, ladies are encouraged to keep on pushing harder if they want to slay, become smart and awesome, (siste, unatamani sana kuslay, but inakuwa ngumu day by day).
Diamond on the hand says slays queens should be stepped on with their threats. (slay queens vitisho vya bandia, ukivipa hai eti madai vinavimbia).
Diamond is not new when it comes to 'cooking' other artists' songs and come up with his versions. A number of Tanzanian singers raised the same concern. Talk about Salome, Zilipendwa, Eneka, are all linked to other artists.
Here is Diamond's Kanyaga and here is Timeless Noel's Kanyaga lami.