Top SA DJ in trouble for stealing Zimbabwean song

SOUTH Africa's DJ Maphorisa is probably one of the most phenomenal DJs to emerge from the country at the moment.

With a series of hit collaborations, not only in South Africa but regionally and internationally, DJ Maphorisa joins other Titans to claim a throne in the industry.

However, a recent accusation, which is likely to be settled in court could damper his career in the music industry.

DJ Maphorisa is being accused of not being original, stealing other artistes' work, in particular the award winning hit single Soweto Baby and failing to acknowledge them.

DJ Maphorisa, who is riding on a crest of co-producing one of America's hip-hop heavyweights Drake's single‚ One Dance, stands accused by legendary South Africa-based Zimbabwean guitarist Maxwell Vidima of "stealing" his work.

The prolific Vidima blustered on his Facebook wall last week, where some of his fans and friends sympathised with him and supported his notion to "expose" DJ Maphorisa publicly on social media.

"Shame on you DJ Maphorisa, how can you take my work I did for you for free and credit someone else, is it because of royalties, my friend this is music its only seven notes let's play rough we will see," Vidima wrote on his Facebook.

In an interview with Sunday Life Vidima said he had recorded a number of songs for DJ Maphorisa, including MTVMAMA2016 winning Soweto Baby, which he says he wrote.

" . . . t's just greediness, I spent the whole of 2014 recording songs with Maphorisa and the problem is that he did not credit me on the main songs like Soweto Baby, which is a world-wide hit right now," said Vidima.

He said he was disappointed in how some DJs had resorted to hustling their way to the top and not being concerned about whom they hurt on their way "up".

"Most DJs are not talented so they tend to be crooked so that they can hold on to as much money as they can. What is really making me mad is the effort I put to help these untalented people, yet they keep doing the same thing," said Vidima.

Vidima also accused another South African band - Gold Fish of failing to acknowledge him in one of their hits - Real Deal - which he said he wrote.

"I wrote the biggest song for Gold Fish, they close their shows everywhere with the song called Real Deal. I wrote and sang the song myself yet there have been no royalties coming. This time no one will mess with me. I am going the courts," he said.

Asked whether he and Maphorisa had met to discuss the issue Vidima said they would meet in court.

"We will meet in court," said Vidima adding that other artistes need to pay heed to his word.

"They need to learn to be careful about these vultures," he said.

Vidima said this was not the first time DJ Maphorisa had hoodwinked an artiste let alone a Zimbabwean.

"Maphorisa did the same with another Zimbabwean producer. They are meeting in court over the issue next week," said Vidima.

DJ Maphorisa remained mum about the issue on all his social media platforms.

Vidima is probably one of the greatest guitarists to emerge from the country in his time.

His reputation precedes that of many, while his popularity in the industry both locally and internationally spans about two decades.

Vidima's 2004 album Sagiya was probably his best work since his first album - Mabambo.

The album, Sagiya, is a fusion of jazz, blending contemporary music, folklore and current affairs, telling a true African story.

It bears testimony to the perception that he is one of the greatest guitarists to emerge from Zimbabwe.