Davido and Diamond compete for Instagram followers

Diamond Platnumz, a prominent figure in the Bongofleva music scene, and Davido, a Nigerian Afrobeats star, have both achieved significant international recognition. Their recent performances in Tanzania and the ongoing comparison of their social media followings highlight their influence within the African music industry.

Early Careers and Collaborations

Diamond Platnumz began his musical career in 2009 with the release of his song “Kamwambie,” which also served as the title of his debut album the following year. He received his first Tanzania Music Award (TMA) in 2010 as Best Upcoming Artist and has since accumulated over 20 TMA awards. Davido, known for his 2011 hit “Dami Duro” and later “Aye” (2014), gained wider recognition in Tanzania. In 2013, Davido performed in Tanzania, an event facilitated by Sallam SK, who subsequently introduced him to Diamond, leading to the collaborative recording of “My Number One Remix” (2014). The subsequent music video’s success marked the beginning of Sallam SK’s role as Diamond’s manager.

Rise in Influence and Instagram Followings

Following the collaboration with Davido, Diamond’s profile rose across Africa, leading to nominations and wins at prestigious awards like the MTV MAMAs and MTV EMAs. By December 2015, Diamond surpassed Davido to become the African musician with the most Instagram followers, reaching 1.5 million compared to Davido’s 1.4 million. Both musicians joined Instagram in 2012, with Diamond joining in July and Davido in March. At the time, other African musicians with substantial followings included Wizkid, Don Jazzy, and Vanessa Mdee.

Shifting Rankings and Current Status

In September 2016, Davido regained the lead in Instagram followers with 2.9 million, while Diamond’s count stood at 2.5 million. Other prominent musicians in the rankings included Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Vanessa Mdee, Alikiba, and Yemi Alade. Currently, Davido holds the top position among African musicians on Instagram with 31.4 million followers, followed by Diamond with 18.9 million, and Tiwa Savage in second place. It appears unlikely that Diamond will surpass Davido again.

Global Comparisons and Social Media Usage

Globally, Selena Gomez leads all musicians on Instagram with 415 million followers, having collaborated with Nigerian artist Rema on “Calm Down” (2022). She has surpassed numerous other global music icons including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and 50 Cent. As of October 2025, global social media users reached 5.66 billion, spending an average of 18 hours and 36 minutes per week on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook.