AWARD-WINNING Afro-pop singer Nathi Mankayi has dumped Muthaland Entertainment allegedly to start his own record label.
The Nomvula hitmaker is rumoured to have said he was angered by Muthaland boss, Lance Stehr, over an alleged contractual dispute.
According to insiders, Nathi had delayed his departure hoping Lance would come to the party on the matter.
Said the first source: “It got to a point where he felt he was not respected enough at Muthaland.
“He even went to the Eastern Cape to try and think things through. It’s clear, Nathi couldn’t take it anymore, that’s why he quit.”
This week, Nathi confirmed he had left Muthaland, but said he couldn’t talk because he was attending a funeral.
Earlier this year, Sunday Sun was the first to publish a story that Nathi would open his own recording label with his wife Mpho and Intonga Yam hitmaker sister, Amanda.
According to the second mole, Nathi missed two milestone events by Muthaland Entertainment because he allegedly no longer wanted to be associated with the label.
The first was Lance’s celebration of 30 years in the music industry.
It was followed by Ntando’s album launch in Soweto.
Said the source: “Nathi was unhappy after his second album wasn’t marketed well.
“He felt undermined because he was not given much attention. All the focus was shifted toward Vusi Nova.”
The third source claimed Nathi felt the company was treating him like a small boy.
The source insisted: “Nathi has not yet officially left the stable because he still needs to sign the release form.”
On Thursday, Lance refused to entertain the matter, saying: “I know nothing about it.”
He also refuted claims that he was held “hostage” by Nathi after refusing to accede to the singer’s demands.
Numerous efforts to get comment from Amanda and Mpho were unsuccessful.
