MULTI-AWARD-WINNING rapper Asaph has been accused of exploiting up-and-coming rappers to his benefit.
The Asipheli Moyo hitmaker and Kwela initiative organiser became a topic of debate on social media recently after fellow rapper Boy Nino spoke about “someone” allegedly misusing funds meant to prop up rappers in the City of Kings.
In a social media rant, Boy Nino asked: “Bulawayo what is going on? Apparently someone got funded for a proposed initiative for hip-hop in the city and did not even put any effort in the selection of the artistes.
“Instead, he made an open call and created a group of up-and-coming artistes that were desperate enough not to ask important questions.”
Boy Nino also claimed that there had been an epic fallout between Asaph and controversial vlogger Langa Ndimande, who is known for no-holds-barred commentary on his YouTube page.
“(Asaph) went on to call another videographer, who is an alter ego to a comedian by the name Langa (Ndimande).
“After working together to shoot low quality cyphers, this videographer went on to discover the funding that someone had got and he used to his own benefit and that is when everything spiralled out of control.”
According to Boy Nino, Ndimande instigated “sharp rap” artiste Briza under his label to hit back at Asaph.
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“The comedian, popularly known for his skits and brutal judgement of other people’s lives, called on his artiste to attack everyone in the (Kwela) initiative (through song), including their leader.
“Now the city has been buzzing with diss tracks left, right and centre.”
Without mentioning who he was talking about, he asked whom the audience should side with.
“Should we take sides with the one accused of mismanaging funds and selecting artistes who are not ready so he could take advantage of them or should we side with the comedian, who has discovered the untold truths and is brutally honest about the quality of music being promoted by the initiative?”
When contacted for comment, Asaph told NewsDay Life & Style that he will issue a statement.
“If you want to know about the Boy Nino rants, talk to Boy Nino,” he said. “I will issue a statement in due time.”
Boy Nino told this publication that he is focusing on his projects.
“I cannot expand on what I have already said because I asked honestly what is going on,” he said.
“I got the flake for it and I responded to some of the questions, then I realised that I was wasting time.
“I am focusing on my music and I do not attend their events.”
Meanwhile, Ndimande said he would never stand on the side-lines and watch exploitation happening right under his nose.
“I will never watch another artiste being taken advantage of. People have this tendency where they hide behind pushing an agenda for Bulawayo while they pocket money,” he said.
“They end up producing substandard things that are labelled Bulawayo.
“We have to be represented in a good way. I feel like people have to stop complaining about Bulawayo this and that. If it means I have to (take) you down, then I will because it is constructive criticism.”
Ndimande rubbished claims that he told Brizza to start the diss whirlwind.
“He is an adult and he made his own decision. I am just marketing and my mandate is to push him and ensure that his music gets to as many people as possible,” he said.
“I want you to write this down, Asaph stop being in your feelings. Not everything is about you, there is no money in feelings, you are a grown man and you should know this by now.
“Briza did not even diss Asaph. If he cared about those people, he would have helped them with studio time because some of them don’t have studios and they wanted to reply.”
He accused Asaph of blocking other budding musicians from shining so that he always gets the limelight, adding that he stood for the
truth.
“I will say the truth. Even if they beat me up, let it be. They said they want to beat me up,” Ndimande added.
