This week can be declared as one that has been challenging for Amapiano sensation Young Stunna, real name Sandile Msimango. He recently went viral on social media after a promoter called him out for having "diva tendencies." This is after he was booked to perform at Underground Pub in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape last weekend but left the event without performing after being asked to sit next to an unknown artist but refused. Young Stunna's management company Lawk Communications has remained mum about the matter since. Another KwaZulu-Natal-based events company has since shared with ZiMoja that they are taking the Adiwele singer to court and suing him for over R1 million after failing to attend one of their shows where he was booked and paid in advance.

A NO-SHOW

Durban Base Entertainment founders say they had booked the artist in advance last year, but he failed to show up. According to an employee of the events management company, Young Stunna cancelled his gig on the day of the performance, and he never paid the refund. "We are preparing to go to court as we speak. It's different when an artist alerts you ahead of time and you make the necessary arrangements, but he did not do so. When you're organising an event, there are expenses that one incurs. Then when someone doesn't pitch, a refund is usually not enough because there is also reputational damage to consider and other costs besides just the artists' fees," the source says. "He instead pretended to be sick. He said he was in Durban. We offered him a medical doctor on speed dial, but he refused. He later made a video to apologise after seeing that we would not take the matter lightly.' The employee adds that, "It seems like he undermines anyone that is not from Gauteng province. So, we are not surprised by the behaviour in Mount Frere. You know, small towns and smaller crowds all deserve the same respect as big cities."

EXPENSES

According to a summons issued to Young Stunna, Lawk Communications and Piano Hub from the High Court Of South Africa, seen by ZiMoja, the KZN promoter is accusing the artist of not meeting his obligations of performing at Kwa Ndengezi. The summons states that, "On about 7 August 2022, the plaintiff duly represented (Young Stunna) entered into a partially written and partially verbal contractual agreement with the defendant (Durban Base Entertainment), duly represented in terms where Plaintiff would organise and manage the Durban Meet Jozi event on 17 September 2022 and with the first defendant to perform as the main artist. The event was to take place at Langa Car Wash and Shisanyama,' the summons reads. However, Young Stunna is said to have not arrived for his performance after being paid a booking fee of R40 000. The company also spent R8 670 on accommodation costs of, artist transportation worth R8 000, stage hire R2 500, another R2 500 for sound, security R3 500, R1000 for lighting, hospitality rider R7 500, fencing R1 000, tent R3 500, furniture R7 500 and marketing R1 200. In total, the company is demanding event expenses valued at R86 870 and R1 million for reputational damage. 'The defendants are accordingly indebted to the plaintiff in the amount of One million and Eighty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Rand which is due, doing, and payable jointly and severally, the one paying, others to be absolved." Lawk Communications could not be reached for comment.