MUSICIAN Lwah Ndlunkulu snubbed Mthandeni Manqele on their highly anticipated Song of the Year celebration for the success of their hit song titled Paris.
The festival, Paris Song of the Year Celebration, was held at Mthandeni’s home at eMdletsheni, KZN, on Saturday, 6 January, and she was a no-show.
Thousands of Mthandeni’s fans expected to see Mthandeni performing the song with Lwah, as her picture was included in the lineup to perform during the celebration.
When Mthandeni performed the song alone, the fans kept shouting, and Lwah and Mthandeni kept ignoring them.
Mthandeni and Lwah had many reasons to celebrate, as their song, released in August 2023, hit more than 12 million views on YouTube.
Paris has over eight million streams on Spotify and was awarded a platinum certificate by the Recording Industry of South Africa (Risa).
The song is one of the big songs in Mzansi and made history by becoming the first maskandi song to be part of Ukhozi FM's urban top 20 because it features Lwah, who is not doing maskandi music.
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Lwah, whose real name is Lwandile Mtshali (25), went live on her Instagram account, telling music fans that they must not ask her why she is not in eMdletsheni, but they must ask Mthandeni, and she later deleted the video.
“Don’t ask why I’m not at eMdletsheni. Ask Mthandeni. I have been calling him, but he gave his phone to his dancers. I won’t beg to perform for free."
“I’m Lwah Ndlunkulu. I belong to Inkabi Records, when Inkabi Records has an event and I’m not there, ask me why. I don’t perform for free,” she said.
Inkabi Records boss Big Zulu (37) said there was no proper communication between them and Mthandeni about the song of the year celebration festival.
“Mthandeni included Lwah's picture on their lineup, and there was no communication. Can the artist attend the festival when she is not properly booked?" Big Zulu said.
“That was not about money, but proper communication was needed. As artists, we do favors for each other depending on the busy schedule, but we negotiate."
Mthandeni (36) said he doesn't want to comment on the matter and prefers to release a statement.
“I can confirm that we are still on good terms with Lwah, and her video didn’t destroy our relationship,” he said.
