In a candid social media thread, Samthing Soweto has opened up about his past collaboration with DJ Maphorisa and the controversy surrounding the production of his 2019 album Isiphithiphithi. The talented singer-songwriter admitted that he lied about Maphorisa’s involvement in the album to boost its sales and secure the audience’s attention.
Samthing Soweto confessed that he initially claimed DJ Maphorisa produced Isiphithiphithi because he believed the association with Maphorisa’s name would help sell the album. In his post, he revealed, “So yes, I lied, I lied because I wanted to sell records. I used DJ Maphorisa’s legend to try and sell music, and it worked. But I didn’t know that I’d pay for it with my hard-earned creative works and dignity.”
According to Samthing, while Maphorisa had no hand in producing the album, he falsely credited him due to a lack of confidence in his own ability to sell music without the influential DJ’s name attached. “The truth is, I had very little confidence in my music selling without him as producer. It seemed as if my audience loved the idea of him being a super producer, and I was not going to go against that. So I lied,” he continued.
Samthing Soweto further alleged that Maphorisa has continued to discredit him by spreading misinformation about their collaboration. “DJ Maphorisa shouldn’t lie the way he does; it’s gonna get him into trouble one day,” Samthing said, referencing Maphorisa’s recent claims that he fed the singer and played a key role in his success.
He clarified that the actual producers of Isiphithiphithi were Kabza De Small, Mas Musiq, and Howard, who he said contributed 40-60% of the project’s production. Samthing also accused Maphorisa and his team of using his music without proper permission or contracts, releasing songs without his knowledge, and keeping the profits from those works.
The singer concluded by addressing claims about owning the master of his album, stating, “All I’m doing at this point is addressing claims that I was given the master to Isiphithiphithi.”
The admission comes after DJ Maphorisa’s recent Instagram Live rant, where he criticized Samthing Soweto, further fueling the tension between the two artists. Samthing’s openness about the situation has sparked debate online, with many fans showing support for the vocalist while questioning the ethics of the music industry.
@DjMaphorisa shouldn’t lie the way he does, it’s gonna get him into trouble one day. I paid Phori for my Masters. I paid an amount that he asked for at the time. Further more, I lied about Phori’s contributions on to my project, He didn’t produce anything.
— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024I lied cos I believed it would help my album sell. The truth is, I had very little confidence in my music selling without him as producer. Seemed as if you, my audience loved the idea of him being a super producer and I was not going to go against that. So I lied.
— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024They use my works without permissions, without contracts or without consent. They just release my works without even informing me of release dates, when I ask what’s happening , they run to social media to discredit me before I can tell the truth.
— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024We start all 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 don’t work for these guys. No one has ever paid me a feature fee. I don’t play with…
— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024Anyway, all I’m doing at this point is addressing claims that I was given the master to Isphithiphithi.
— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024
