peterSithatshisiwe Vuma, Sunday News Correspondent
A UNITED Kingdom based Zimbabwean artiste’s dreams of launching his debut album are up in smoke after a South African artiste he wanted to feature unilaterally increased charges.
The artiste, Xosti had featured Rethabile Khumalo on the hit song, Kanti unjani and efforts to get her to attend the launch hit a brick wall after she allegedly increased her fees from R35 000 to R90 000.
The launch was scheduled for the UK in September.
According to Xosti, Rethabile had agreed to a R35 000 fee when she was approached by Vukani, who is also a South African artiste.
“Vukani is the one who was arranging the deal and agreement papers were signed on ZAR35 000, Rethabile told me that her passport had expired and I funded her for the renewal and it was sorted.
(Later) I received a phone call from Retha’s manager saying that they were cancelling the deal unless I pay them ZAR90 000 because Rethabile has matured in the industry.
This is difficult for me because I am supposed to pay Biizizi, KG and Vukani ZAR35 000 each,” said Xosti.
Xosti and Rethabile collaborated on the hit song Kanti unjani which was released two months back and the song has been played in many South African radio stations and television channels.
“Now I don’t know what to do, I can’t afford to pay her such an amount of money because I invited other artists for the launch of my album.
I didn’t expect her to demand so much because she is featuring in the album,” he said.
Online Reporter