DJ Maphorisa Addresses Why Samthing Soweto Was Left Out of ‘Amalanga Awafani’
DJ Maphorisa has elaborated on his decision to exclude Samthing Soweto from the ‘Amalanga Awafani’ single, a track that features contributions from Mas Musiq and Lawd Weezy. The controversy arose after fans noticed Samthing Soweto’s absence from the song, sparking widespread speculation and criticism on social media. Addressing the issue during an Instagram Live session, the acclaimed producer shed light on the circumstances that led to this decision.
Maphorisa explained that during the recording of Samthing Soweto’s last album, which took place at Maphorisa’s own studio, Samthing Soweto was granted 100% ownership of the masters—a rare and generous move in the music industry, where such rights are often hotly contested. However, the tension began when Samthing Soweto contributed vocals to the ‘Amalanga Awafani’ single and subsequently requested a share of the masters for this particular track. Maphorisa viewed this request as hypocritical, given that Samthing Soweto had already benefited significantly from their previous collaboration.
In his Instagram Live session, Maphorisa expressed his frustration: “This guy is confusing, shame. I give up. Try to understand me, neh? He recorded the whole album in my house, we gave him the master 100%, and now he still wants to own a percentage of the masters on our songs? Who’s the fool here? I’m not sure if you guys understand the issue. Let’s pray for him; I think he has a serious problem.”
Maphorisa‘s remarks suggest a deeper issue within their professional relationship, hinting at a breakdown in trust and mutual understanding. The producer’s comments have sparked a broader conversation about artist rights, ownership, and the complexities of collaboration in the music industry.
Despite Maphorisa’s attempt to clarify the situation, many South Africans continue to voice their dissatisfaction, urging Mas Musiq to credit Samthing Soweto for his contributions and to formally include him among the featured artists on the track. The debate has highlighted the delicate balance between creative contribution and financial compensation, with fans and industry insiders alike
