Why maskandi star dumped Zuma

4 hours ago

Why maskandi star dumped Zuma

TOP maskandi star, Mthandeni Manqele, parts ways with his well-known bass guitarist.

According to Mthandeni, the decision was prompted by Celumusa Zuma’s 60% pay rise demand.

Mthandeni has now enlisted another guitarist, Shayinja Zwane, to record his new song titled Gucci, featuring MaWhoo, which is currently a chart-topper.

Mthandeni and Celumusa have a long collaboration history, including last year’s hit song Paris, which garnered over 20 million views on YouTube and is nominated for Record of the Year at this year’s upcoming Satmas.

Mthandeni, from eMdletsheni, KZN, explained that the issue arose when he asked Celumusa to play the bass guitar on Gucci, released a few weeks ago.

“When I asked Celumusa to come to the recording session, he demanded 60% for Paris. I asked about others like Jay Jay Mbuthuma, who plays keyboards, and Mbuzeni Mkhize, who plays lead guitar. I paid him what was due when we recorded Paris, but he said as the song was successful, he should also benefit. He claimed that because the song reached 20 million views on YouTube, I must have R20 million and give him a raise,” Mthandeni said.

He said he decided to bring in Shayinja to show Celumusa that the focus is on the music, not only individual players.

“I told him I’d get back to him. I know he hates me now. I saw him playing his guitar for another musician, and realised he was spitting at me,” Mthandeni added.

Celumusa told Daily Sun Mthandeni’s claims about the 60% raise are false.

“I feel Mthandeni is ashamed that he’s achieved more with the song alone and sees a need to give me a raise, but I never asked for it. He’s the one talking about it. What happened was he called me when he was going to record, and I told him I had family responsibilities in KZN and asked him to postpone the recording. He agreed, and when I returned to Joburg, I phoned him to say I was free. He said he’d get back to me, and I’m still waiting,” Celumusa said.