Samthing Soweto Speaks Out: The Isiphithiphithi Masters Controversy

The Dispute

Isiphithiphithi, which features contributions from Mas Musiq, Howard, Kabza De Small, and others, has captivated audiences and topped charts since its release. However, the real drama began when Samthing Soweto refuted DJ Maphorisa’s earlier claims that he had been given ownership of his masters for the album. In a series of explosive tweets, Samthing Soweto clarified that he had paid for his masters and expressed frustration with Maphorisa’s statements.

Samthing Soweto tweeted, “DJ Maphorisa shouldn’t lie the way he does; it’s gonna get him in trouble one day. I paid Phori for my Masters. I paid an amount that he asked for at the time.” This statement contradicted DJ Maphorisa’s previous remarks, where he implied that Samthing had been given ownership of his work.

@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, 2024

The Financial and Creative Discrepancies

The controversy also extends to the question of production credits. While many believed DJ Maphorisa played a significant role in the creation of Isiphithiphithi, Samthing Soweto has now come forward to admit that he exaggerated Maphorisa’s contributions to boost album sales. In reality, the album was largely produced by Mas Musiq, Howard, and Kabza De Small.

“So again, he didn’t produce my work. I worked with Mas Musiq Howard and KabzaDeSmall in that studio, who produced between 40-60% of my work depending on how you view it,” Samthing Soweto clarified. He continued by acknowledging that his previous misrepresentation of Maphorisa’s involvement was strategic: “So yes, I lied. I lied cos I wanted to sell records. I used Dj Maphorisa’s legendary status 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.”

So again, he didn’t produce my work. I worked with @mas_musiq and Howard n @KabzaDeSmall_ in that studio, who produced between 40 -60% of my work depending on how you view it.

— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024

MANIPULATION OF SALES

Samthing Soweto’s confession sheds light on a deeper issue — the pressure artists feel to compromise their creative integrity to meet commercial expectations. “I lied cos I believed it would help my album sell,” he explained. “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.”

While his strategy succeeded commercially, it came at a cost. “I didn’t know that I’d pay for it with my hard-earned creative works and dignity. That I’d never get paid for my works and he’d go around telling people that he fed me,” Samthing Soweto expressed. His words highlight the emotional toll of having to compromise authenticity for the sake of success, only to face further exploitation and misattribution.

ALSO READ- ‘Amalanga Awafani’: DJ Maphorisa Defends Decision to Exclude Samthing Soweto

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EXPLOITATION AND UNAUTHORISED USE OF WORK

In his tweets, Samthing Soweto also raised concerns about how his work were being used without his permission. “They use my work without permissions, without contracts or without consent. They just release my work without even informing me of release dates,” he shared. “When I ask what’s happening, they run to social media to discredit me before I can tell the truth. They then keep all the money they make using my voice/songs and go around telling people I’m hard to work with. This has happened to me from TheSoilMusic days.”

They 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, 2024

This statement emphasizes the exploitation many artists face in the music industry, where their contributions are taken advantage of without proper compensation or credit. Samthing Soweto pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, but a recurring pattern from his early days in the music collective The Soil.

INDUSTRY DYNAMICS AND CREATIVE OWNERSHIP

At the heart of the controversy is the issue of ownership and credit for creative work. “We 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,” Soweto explained. His words reflect the broader challenges artists face when their work gains popularity, often leading to a shift in how their contributions are recognized — or not.
Despite the controversy, Samthing Soweto made it clear that he is not playing around when it comes to the ownership of his work. “I don’t play with my Masters,” he emphasized. This statement serves as a firm reminder of the importance of artists retaining control over their intellectual property.

A PIVOTAL MOMENT

As this drama continues to unfold, Samthing Soweto’s revelations mark a pivotal moment in his career. By speaking out, he is challenging the systemic issues within the music industry, advocating for transparency, fairness, and proper credit for all artists involved.

For now, Samthing Soweto is addressing only the claims about Isiphithiphithi, though he hinted at more to come, saying: “Anyway, all I’m doing at this point is addressing claims that I was given the master to Isiphithiphithi. In time, I will address the #amalangawafani issue; there’s work being done in the background. Till then, thank you for the support. I appreciate it.”
As the dispute develops, fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely to see how this will impact Samthing Soweto and the broader music industry. This controversy underscores the need for accountability in ensuring artists receive the recognition, credit, and compensation they rightfully deserve.

Anyway, all I’m doing at this point is addressing claims that I was given the master to Isphithiphithi.

— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024

Ladies and Gentlemen here it is – @djmaphorisa confirms that I paid to own my work/masters. Which was the agreement we had vs what he said in his initial video where he stated that he gave me my masters. There’s nothing wrong in me wanting to own my work. https://t.co/h2v5Ebvfql

— Samthing Soweto (@samthingsoweto) September 10, 2024