Share

We Heard WHAT?!

Kelly slights prima diva Khanyi
queen of bling and singer Khanyisile Mbau seems to be making more enemies than friends, according to Sunday World. Following reports on her joining Arthur Mafokate’s 999 Music after leaving EMI, Kelly Khumalo had a fight with Mbau over Mafokate. Prokelly and 999 are competitors, and prima donna Khanyi was initially asked by ProKelly to be MC for 3Sum’s album launch at the Backroom in Pimville, Soweto, on Thursday but was replaced at the last minute with drag queen Somizi Mhlongo. Khumalo was also not prepared to pose with Mbau for a picture. “I attended the launch like anybody else who was invited. I was supporting my friends 3Sum”, said Mbau. The only incident that she did not take kindly to was when Khumalo refused to take a picture with her. Mbau says Khumalo told the photographer that she does not take pictures with 999 Music artists. “I never thought that joining 999 Music would make my friends turn against me,” she said. Khumalo confirms refusing to take pictures with Mbau. “Khanyi is not my friend. She’s someone I know in the entertainment industry.” Mafokate had this to say about the incident, “We are fighting to unite artists. What happened is uncalled for.” It really is petty behavior. For once Khanyi Mbau did not deserve what happened to her.

More drama at 999
Urban-pop princess and 999 Music’s cash cow Chomee is entangled in a contractual battle with her boss, Arthur Mafokate, reports Sunday World. Chomee has rejected a new deal offered to her by Mafokate, citing it as an insult. It is alleged Mafokate offered his protegé the same contract as before, which stipulates that she gets 10% of the royalties on her albums. However, she is now demanding 14%. Moreover, the queen of the dance floor has threatened to call it quits if Mafokate doesn’t amend the contract to suit her. Apparently, Chomee made the demands after the stable’s latest catch Khanyisile Mbau, was given the same percentage as her. Mafokate’s response:, “We aren’t prepared to lose such a big brand, but we don’t condone people coming up with unreasonable demands.”. Chomee has been with the stable for 13 years and has already recorded three albums with Mafokate. She says: “Yes, it’s true that I have problems with the new contract. I don’t know what will happen if we don’t come to an agreement because at the end of the day, business is business.” Go girl! Good to know that sisters in the music biz are standing up for themselves.

Spikiri getting high in public
90s kwaito group Trompies member Mandla Spikiri made a quite a scene by getting high as a kite in public at Mogodung in Alexandra, north of Jozi, last week. According to Sunday World, he caused quite a stir when he casually puffed huge zol spliffs in public at the popular joint. Spikiri was oblivious to people’s discomfort while his sidekicks passed the burning zol around as the binge continued. This had people asking, “How can a person of his stature smoke dagga in public? Our children, who regard Spikiri as their role model, frequent that place. They will start thinking smoking dagga is acceptable”. Hopefully Spikiri won’t beat us up - he swore and beat up a journalist at Kwaito star Kabelo’s album launch last year – but brother man you are completely out of order.

I’m not racist
Controversial rapper Ndabaningi Zubz Mabuye says he is not racist, The Times reports, after right wing political party the Freedom Front lodged an official complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission following an SABC 1 broadcast of his song “Get Out”. The Freedom Front claim the track is hate speech. FF MP Willie Spies said: “The broadcast of this video on national TV in a country plagued by racially motivated attacks and murders is not only inappropriate but also irresponsible and inexcusable.” The Zimbabwean-born rapper said his song was taken out of context and has nothing to do with race. Zubz said: “I despise racism and anything to do with racism. I would never be so irresponsible as to write a racist song. Especially, considering the volatility of the society we live in. To assume being white is synonymous with being an oppressor is just backward thinking. When I spoke of ‘the oppressor’ I deliberately took race out, because the act of oppression can come from anyone, regardless of color. He stresses that the fight he’s referring to in the song is metaphorical for people standing up for what they believe in. Eish bathong! What ever happened to freedom of speech? Politicians need to address real racism issues such as the University of Free State racist video incident instead of misunderstanding rap songs and misleading people.

The latest on Scarlett’s new album
Pitchfork Media has revealed featured guest artists on Scarlett Johansson’s much anticipated album of Tom Waits covers titled Anywhere I Lay My Head. The 23-year-old actress-turned singer who will be releasing her album on 20 May. The album is mainly Tom Waits covers but there is one original track titled “Song for Jo”. The Waits numbers Johnson covers include, “I don’t want to grow up”, “Town with no cheer” and “No One Knows I’m Gone’. The big surprise is having none other than rock star David Bowie as featured guest artist on "Falling Down" and "Fannin' Street". Johansson announced to journalists at a press conference that she has no plans to tour Anywhere material, but she is considering "getting everybody together" for a festival appearance.

50 drops some weight
According to thisis50.com, Fiddy is sporting a new look. Word is that he’s slimmed down from about 200 to 185 pounds, and grown his hair into a mini-afro. No, it’s not to impress the ladies when he is down in Mzansi for his concert next month. He’s getting in shape to star in a new movie called "Microwave Park". 50 Cent will play a cop working in New Orleans right after Hurricane Katrina . Co-starring? Val Kilmer and Sharon Stone. Check out Fiddy’s latest look right here. So what do you like better, 50 Cent before or 50 cent after? Or you can go see him in person at the concert next week in Jozi and in the Mother City.

-Gugulethu Mkhabela
Sourced: Sunday World;The Times;Pitchfork media;thisis50.com
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE