(South Africa 🇿🇦) Viral R23 Million Claim: Tebogo Mashego Apologises to DJ Maphorisa and DJ Karri Amid Royalty Dispute
Amapiano artist Tebogo G Mashego has issued a public apology to industry heavyweights DJ Maphorisa and DJ Karri, following a highly viral and contentious social media outburst where he claimed he was owed a massive R23 million in royalties.
The apology comes after a tumultuous week for the "Biri Marung" hitmaker, whose emotional videos from Nigeria — alleging that DJ Maphorisa and Sony Music were withholding his rightful earnings from the chart-topping track — went global, sparking a fierce debate about artist exploitation in the music industry.
The Claim and Fallout
Mashego's ordeal began when he found himself stranded in Nigeria after a performance deal allegedly collapsed. In a tearful Facebook Live session on September 19, 2025, he accused DJ Maphorisa (of Scorpion Kings fame) and the label of profiting immensely from "Biri Marung" while he was left penniless and unable to afford a flight home. He went on to demand R23 million as his claimed share of the profits.
Amid the chaos, fellow artist DJ Karri stepped in, publicly securing and confirming a return flight for Mashego to South Africa, an act of goodwill that was initially praised across social media.
The Apology
Details of Mashego's apology were shared late yesterday, though the specific nature of his statements regarding the R23 million claim and the treatment of DJ Karri remains unclear. Sources close to the artist suggest the apology may be related to his passionate and, at times, erratic behaviour during the viral live streams, which led to numerous accusations against both producers.
While the exact status of the royalty dispute is unresolved, the apology marks a shift in the public narrative, moving the focus from the initial explosive claims to potential reconciliation. DJ Maphorisa has previously responded to the situation, urging Mashego to handle the matter more privately.
The incident has, however, brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by emerging artists in the Amapiano genre, prompting calls for greater transparency and fairer contracts within the fast-growing music scene.
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