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Afropiano Festival to take legal action against DJ Maphorisa
"We don't condone hate speech or lies."
Producer and DJ, Maphorisa. Picture: Supplied
Afropiano has released a statement to say it will take legal action against DJ Maphorisa.
This after the DJ and producer, whose real name is Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, blasted the festival on social media.
Taking to X, DJ Maphorisa said he and his artists will no longer perform at the festival, citing disrespect.
“I’m not performing in Zambia @afropianofest. Totally disrespectful, especially [for] a promoter coming from outside the country [and] trying to make money with us. All my artists are not attending this event @niapearlza @tylericu hope they paid @focalistic,” he wrote.
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‘We don’t condone hate speech or lies’ – Afropiano Festival
Hitting back at Maphorisa’s claims, the festival said it decided to remove him from the lineup because: “We cannot associate with this type of unprofessionalism and have decided to remove him from our lineup with immediate effect.”
The festival shared a screenshot of the POP showing that Maphorisa was paid R60k. Other screenshots show what looks like Whatsapp conversations with Maphorisa’s management over the DJ’s booking. Therefore, Afropiano Festival said it would take legal action against the DJ.
“He has decided to deny any acknowledgment of the [booking] and has gone on social media to defame our character with hate speech, though he is fully aware of the booking and accepted the booking.
“We will take every necessary legal steps to ensure that this unprofessionalism is dealt with … We don’t condone hate speech or lies,” the festival added.
Maphorisa’s team allegedly said the DJ would not be available on the day he was booked to perform and the money would be refunded.
Maphorisa was not immediately available to comment but The Citizen will update when such information becomes available.
The festival is taking place in Cape Town. It started on Tuesday this week and will wrap up on Sunday, 22 October.
The lineup includes Amapiano heavyweights such as Sao Mattrix, Focalistic, Tyler ICU, and many more.
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