Netizens were greeted with a flurry of X posts from music sensation Samthing Soweto, whose real name is Samkelo Mdolomba, addressing his feud with the renowned Amapiano producer DJ Maphorisa.
In a candid series of posts, Samthing Soweto confessed to having lied about Maphorisa’s involvement in his album, Isiphithiphithi.
“I lied about Maphorisa’s contributions to my project. He did not produce anything,” he said.
He further explained his lies stemmed from his lack of confidence as a musician, therefore opting for Maphorisa to produce his album, where he believed his music would sell under the DJ.
“I lied because I believed it would help sell my album. The truth is, I had very little confidence in my music selling without him as a producer. Seemed as if you, my audience, loved the idea of him being a super producer and I was not going to be against that. So, I lied,” said Samthing Soweto.
Samthing Soweto clarified Maphorisa did not produce his album, but Amapiano DJs, Kabza de Small, Howard and Mas Musiq produced close to 60% of his work.
The timid musician took account for using Maphorisa’s status to sell records.
“I lied because I wanted to sell records. I used DJ Maphorisa to try and sell music, and it worked. But I did not know that I'd pay for it with my hard earned creative works and dignity. That I'd never get paid for my work, and he would go around telling people that he fed me,” said Samthing Soweto.
Spilling more tea, Samthing Soweto revealed he did not sign any contract with Maphorisa, adding he paid the DJ for his masters.
“DJ Maphorisa should not lie the way he does, it is gonna get him into trouble one day. I paid Phori for my masters. I paid an amount that he asked for at that time.
“They use my work without my permission, without contracts or without consent. They just release my work without even informing me of the release dates. When I ask what is happening, they run to social media to discredit me before I can tell the truth.
“They then keep all the money they make using my voice/songs and go around telling people I’m hard to work with. This happened to me from The Soil days,” said Samthing Soweto.
Samthing Soweto blamed the music industry for misleading and exploiting musicians.
He added: “We all start music with the understanding that these are our songs as a collective. As soon as the song catches fire; no, you are a feature. No, you don’t get to own anything. You are not signed. I do not work for these guys. No one has ever paid me a feature fee. I don't play with my masters.”
Soweto’s revelations follow DJ Maphorisa’s live video on Instagram last Tuesday, where the DJ addressed the ongoing saga.
Samthing Soweto recently trended on social media when netizens revealed the singer was not credited for Amalanga Awafani song with Maphorisa, Mas Musiq and Lawd Weezy.
He said: “In time, I will address the Amalanga Awafani issue. There’s work being done in the background. Till then, thank you for the support. I appreciate it.”
The Star