06/01/2025
Valoswi tsala hi xinghezi marha, mhaka kahari yaliya yaku hakeriwa ka papa Rhulani R1000 kambe vito ringa tsariwi, tani hi unwana wa lava vanga kona ka risimu.
★ EXPLOITING TALENT: THE UNFAIR TREATMENT OF PAPA RHULANI IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY ★
The conflict between Lekker Stylist and Papa Rhulani serves as a striking example of the “survival of the fittest” principle, where strength in the jungle is replaced by mental acuity in human interactions. Lekker Stylist, once Papa Rhulani’s manager, abandoned the role in less than a month. Despite knowing the mental challenges Papa Rhulani faces, Lekker Stylist opted to exploit him rather than offering him a fair deal.
On the track Chuza, there are only two officially featured artists: J John, who sings the majority of the song, and Salani, the producer responsible for the beat. However, Papa Rhulani’s catchy contributions to the song are undeniable. According to reports, Lekker Stylist approached Papa Rhulani for a feature, but instead of arranging a studio session, Lekker and Salani used pre-existing voice recordings of Papa stored in Salani’s studio. Papa Rhulani, unaware of how royalties work due to his mental state, reportedly asked for just R1,000 to be part of the song.
Lekker Stylist’s actions become even more questionable considering that J John and Salani are reportedly sharing royalties, while Papa Rhulani was left out until the public began questioning his absence from the official credits. It was only after the song gained traction that Lekker Stylist rushed to pay him, and even then, the payment was a mere afterthought.
This raises critical ethical concerns. If J John and Salani received fair agreements that recognized their contributions with royalties, why wasn’t the same extended to Papa Rhulani? Exploiting someone’s vulnerability, especially when they are mentally challenged, shows a lack of moral responsibility. It also speaks to a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where those with less understanding of contractual agreements are often taken advantage of.
Lekker Stylist’s actions reflect an unfair power dynamic. By failing to treat all contributors equally, he not only disrespected Papa Rhulani’s artistic input but also perpetuated a system that marginalizes vulnerable individuals. A truly fair arrangement would involve educating and supporting artists like Papa Rhulani, ensuring that they are adequately compensated and credited for their work. Anything less is exploitation.