The Kariakoo Derby: Alikiba vs Diamond in Music & Football

The Fierce Rivalry Between Alikiba and Diamond in the Kariakoo Derby
March 7, 2025

For almost a decade, Alikiba and Diamond Platnumz have dominated the Tanzanian music scene, each amassing loyal fanbases. Their rivalry mirrors that of the Kariakoo derby, where Simba SC (represented by Alikiba) and Yanga SC (represented by Diamond) fiercely compete, with a clear division of fans between the two.

The ongoing music rivalry between these two top Bongofleva stars highlights their distinct styles, much like the contrasting football teams in Tanzania's biggest derby. As Alikiba's Simba and Diamond's Yanga gear up for another intense showdown, let’s take a closer look at how their careers and legacies compare.

1. Awards and Achievements

Diamond Platnumz holds the record for the most wins at the Tanzania Music Awards (TMA), with 22 accolades. He is followed by Alikiba, who has claimed 18 awards, including a recent win for his song Mahaba in 2023. This dominance in the TMA parallels the success of the two football clubs: Simba has won the league 22 times, while Yanga holds 30 titles and is the reigning champion.

2. Basata and Censorship

Alikiba has never faced a song ban by the National Arts Council (Basata), whereas Diamond's tracks Hallelujah (2017) and Waka (2017) were censored, along with his music video for Mtasubiri (2022). On the field, the teams’ form contrasts: Yanga has suffered two losses this season against Azam FC and Tabora United, while Simba’s only defeat came at the hands of Yanga, with a 1-0 loss in the first round.

3. Albums and EP Releases

Both artists have an extensive discography. Diamond has released three albums—Kamwambie (2010), Lala Salama (2012), and A Boy From Tandale (2018)—along with an EP, First of All (2022). Alikiba has also released three albums—Cinderella (2007), Ali K 4Real (2009), and Only One King (2021)—and an EP, Starter (2024). Their rivalry extends to football, where Yanga has won three consecutive league titles and hopes to claim a fourth, following a dominant 7-2 win over Simba last season.

4. African Dominance

Diamond is Africa's second most-watched musician on YouTube, trailing only Burna Boy from Nigeria. Alikiba, however, does not feature in the continent’s top 10 most-watched artists. When it comes to the football scene, Simba ranks sixth on the CAF rankings, while Yanga is ranked tenth. Despite a chance to improve their position, Yanga failed to advance to the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League.

5. Record-Breaking Nights

At the 2014 TMAs, Diamond set a record by winning seven awards in a single night. Alikiba came close in 2015 with five awards, but Diamond’s record still stands. On the football pitch, the rivalry took a historic turn last season when Yanga triumphed 5-1 over Simba in the first round, although Simba remains the team with the largest victory in this derby, having beaten Yanga 5-0 in the 2011/12 season.

6. East African Influence

Diamond remains the most streamed Tanzanian and East African artist on Boomplay Music, with over 498 million streams, while Alikiba has amassed 207 million streams. Similarly, Simba is the only Tanzanian team to compete in all major CAF tournaments, including the CAF Champions League (CAFCL), CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC), and the newly introduced African Football League (AFL), while Yanga has yet to participate in the AFL.

7. Record Labels

Diamond’s label, WCB Wasafi, has signed eight artists, including notable female acts like Queen Darlee and Zuchu. On the other hand, Alikiba’s Kings Music has signed six artists, none of whom are female. As for the football teams, Yanga’s strikers, Mzize and Dube, have scored 10 goals each in the league, while Simba’s Ahoua has scored similarly, though with a higher proportion of penalty goals.

8. International Collaborations

Diamond’s collaborations with prominent DR Congo artists like Koffi Olomide (Waah!), Fally Ipuma (Inama), and Innoss'B (Yope Remix) have boosted his fame, while Alikiba has worked with Maud Elka (Songi Songi Remix). Both teams feature players from DR Congo, with Yanga boasting Maxi Nzengeli and Chadrack Boka, while Simba’s Fabrice Ngoma and Elie Mpanzu are making waves after their recent signings.

9. Social Media Influence

Diamond is the most-followed African musician on YouTube, with over 9.8 million subscribers, while Alikiba is not in the continent’s top 10, with 2 million subscribers. This mirrors the football scene, where Simba remains the only Tanzanian team in the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup (CAFCC), while Yanga, along with Azam FC and Coast Union, was eliminated.

10. Hamisa Mobetto's Role

Model Hamisa Mobetto has appeared in music videos for both artists, featuring in Diamond's Mawazo (2012) and Salome (2016), and in Alikiba's Dodo (2020). This derby will be a special one for Mobetto, as it marks her first since marrying Yanga player Stephane Aziz Ki, who joined the team in July 2022 from ASEC Mimosas in Ivory Coast. Last season, Aziz was named the MVP of the Tanzania Premier League.