By: Lolo Mhlanga
Tembisa born DJ Shimza has been called out for being a gatekeeper in the music industry and not crediting young producers.
Shimza and DJ Maphorisa were at each other’s throats after the Makhe hitmaker took to Instagram to announce the release of his new single, Sold Out.
Maphorisa criticized the DJ for not opening doors for upcoming artists.
“Why u (sic) always making music alone, no young upcoming artist nyana every time it’s Shimza alone. Grow this Afro movement and uplift young talent bro, please that’s why they end up hating us because you close doors. Don’t tell me you made that beat alone, sorry I had to take it out of my chest in front of everyone. Love you mfanaka, but I can’t,” Maphorisa said.
During that twar, Ceega Wa Meropa, a well-known Dj from Kwa-Zulu Natal, took to Facebook to express his disappointment with Shimza.
The pair had a fall out last year when Ceega asked to be put on the Lockdown House Party. Shimza gave Ceega the cold shoulder and was dragged on social media for his response to the request.
With the current storm between Phori and Shimza, Ceega said he was booted out of a competition when they discovered who he was.
“My friends encouraged me to enter Diesel Demin Friday, and Dj Shimza is the one running the competition. I entered using my real name Sipho Tshabalala, I was called and they congratulated me for being the winner from Durban that I was going to represent KZN and Durban,” he wrote on Facebook.
He went further to say: “I was told my mixes were selected for being the best from Durban but now that they have realized that Sipho Tshabalala is Ceega Wa Meropa they called me today to tell me there was a mistake that they have to review mixes from Durban. Politics in Music Industry,” he wrote.
In response, Shimza defended himself by explaining why he started his record label Kunye Records.
“We now have an event called Kunye that showcases the music and streams the sets online so that people can put the face to the names bro. We all work differently, love you too”.
Upon receiving backlash from people on Twitter siding with Maphorisa, he tweeted
“My documentary will one day tell my story and the impact I’ve had and have on people’s lives.”
