The basis of our friendship started last year, October 2023, in the beautiful island of Aotearoa. I met Diamond Langi at a hotel in Māngere where the team and I were staying. After hours of post festival jam sessions in the lobby, I asked Diamond Langi “Who would you want to see perform next year at Homelands Music Festival?” (assuming there was going to be another Homelands Music Festival).
Without hesitation, Diamond replied, “Me!”
Pleasantly surprised with the response, I smiled back enthused, “I know that’s right!”
Almost a full year later, I received the pleasure of interviewing Diamond Langi, the multitalented, highly accomplished Tongan woman who wears so many hats and is a pioneer for the Pasifika people.
If you are unaware of Diamond Langi, I am just going to make the excuse for you, and you’re probably out of touch of social media and your algorithm is definitely not on the Pacific Islander side of things…But it’s okay there’s no shade to be thrown, you’re just misinformed. You’re probably shy of a few more engaging posts that have to deal with either pageants, music, theater, film, arts, etc.
Diamond Langi is an inspiration to us all. At the age of 19 she became Miss Universe New Zealand and by the age of 26 she competed in the Miss Universe pageant. It doesn’t stop on the global pageant stage, Diamond grew up in the arts! She was born to be a creative! There’s obviously more to the story.
Diamond reflects on her upbringing, comparing it to Selena, the iconic Mexican – American singer. “There’s a scene in the Selena movie when she was young. She wasn’t allowed to go out and play with the kids. She had to learn music. That is so me.” Diamond beams recalling her childhood. “I wanted to go out and play and have fun with the kids. But my dad’s like no you need to learn this new song for church or you’re writing.”
Starting music at such a young age, with her dad being a big reason for who she is today, Diamond shares how pivotal her dad was in her music journey. “So that’s how my pen game really started because of my father. Him being a musician, a writer, and composer really influenced me as a young musician to really be independent and learn how to write and to understand what kind of beats and sound I will be interested in.” I am not crying, you are! But save your tears because I am about to share with you why “Keep You Here” is the debut single for Diamond Langi. Get your tissues ready!
“Keep You Here” is just one of many songs Diamond has in the vault. It took a lot of thought and consideration of what her debut song was going to be. Diamond has aspirations to take her musical talents and sound to broader horizons in spaces such as commercial, film, theater, and anywhere she is able to share her music. With that in the back of her mind, Diamond contemplated which one of her songs is going to be her first. And we all know everyone remembers their first. The first release is always so special – so why is “Keep You Here” special?
Despite external noises of what should be her first song release, Diamond stayed true to who she is. Diamond is proud to share her new song will be a letter to her father. “It was only right to have this song be the release because he was such an influence for me. I’m not really worried about what’s gonna be the hottest song and what’s trending. For me as an artist, I need to put out songs that are truthful to me and that are authentic in my storytelling.”
This is what “Keep You Here” is an ode to. It is a glimpse of the vulnerability and authenticity Diamond Langi has in her creativity. It pays homage to her father who passed away from cancer. Diamond’s song tells about the journey of going in and out of the hospital, visiting her father who was battling. Everytime she would come home from the hospital she would be hit with the loneliness having a loved one in the hospital brings. The only way she was able to have the courage to keep moving on and pressing forward was in her writing, so she wrote a letter to her father wishing she could keep him here on earth.
I know…I know…But the water works will not stop. Keep your tissues on hand.
In the midst of the passing of her father, not only will “Keep You Here” be a testament about her father always being with her, but it goes even deeper! Before her father passed, he expressed how his younger brother, another amazing musician in the family, stepped into the role after her father had said “I’m no longer your dad anymore your uncle Richie is.” Uncle Richie has played a tremendous role in mentoring Diamond through her music and upholding his promise he made to his older brother. Through mentorship, connection, and network Diamond has leaned on her uncle’s wisdom and guidance to help produce the sound we are hearing today.
In her music altogether, Diamond hopes everyone receives the message to “not be afraid to be seen!” Diamond explains how the most important stories to tell are the stories people don’t see coming. The stories that make you physically cringe and quiver when you remember it, are the exact stories that need to be told because it’s going to help someone heal. “We have a huge responsibility to really tell our story but tell it so authentically true.”
“My biggest advice is to put social media on mute and drown it out because sometimes we can be easily influenced with it and we might gravitate to whatever the wave social media brings out, but I think what’s important is to find what your own wave is – like in the ocean. And then ride the wave. And when the wave slowly comes back down, find what your other wave is and recreate yourself. So the two points are: don’t get influenced by social media easily and find whatever your wave is and keep reinventing yourself.”
– Diamond Langi
Be on the lookout for future music from Diamond Langi, because if you want to follow an artist who is going to be real, raw and relevant – it is going to be Diamond! “And I know when people hear my future music they’re going to be like, “What in the world has Diamond been through?”
Diamond for sure knows how to market herself because I am dying to know what she has been through that we don’t already know?! I guess we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Diamond Langi in her music!
Diamond has accomplished so much in her lifetime despite still being young. With the amount of success she has acquired I asked her what is next in her timeline? What can we expect from someone who has already been at the global stage of Miss Universe, has appeared in multiple films, and is now full throttle in the music space?
Diamond is going to continue to release her music, drop by drop, song by song, and maybe a future album. You can definitely count on her music and her creativity being in spaces she has already tapped into – film, commercials, theater, etc. However, an exclusive we received from Diamond is she’s going to take on more of a directing role. What can she not do?
Dipping her toes in directing, Diamond directed and produced the music video of “Keep You Here.” She shares with us the importance as creatives to not limit ourselves! She saw an opportunity in business to not only be the artist but be the director as well for her own creative project. “You can do anything and I think it all just starts with our mindset – not limiting ourselves. Not making fear our friend.”
One thing I learned upon talking to Diamond is she is selfless! She is looking to always elevate those around her – especially in the Pacific Islander community. I encourage you to continue reading friends because Diamond shares so much wisdom for everyone to receive no matter the age, gender, or ethnicity. When I asked her about some of her best advice for those who are trying to pursue the roads she has already traveled on she gave us a beautiful, inspiring response.
Diamond encourages us to continue to believe in ourselves! “We have to believe we will get there, the real question is the how – how are we going to get there?” But she quickly further explains how we shouldn’t worry about the how because as Pacific Islanders we have ancestors who are the original navigators! We all come from a long line of ancestors who have navigated the world. We shouldn’t worry about how we are going to get there because just like our ancestors, we will get to our destination fueled by faith and hope. It’s in our dna.
She leaves the interview with a mic drop nugget of wisdom she claims to be the best piece of advice for those reading. Trust me this one is good!
I am buzzing as I am finishing this piece, because I know we can all take away something from Diamond Langi! As someone who has helped trailblaze in all areas of creativity and arts representing all Pacific Islanders, Diamond humbly extends her knowledge and wisdom in the game to everyone who is searching for guidance.
We are happy and humbled to share Diamond’s story of her return to her first love of music. Make sure to listen to “Keep You Here” out on all streaming platforms.
