Singer Rethabile Khumalo recently received backlash on social media when she visited Gogo Skhotheni’s The Venting Podcast with her mom and singer Winnie Khumalo, where she addressed the alleged mediocrity among amapiano artists. She candidly vented about how amapiano artists took the spotlight while ’real talent’ stars went unnoticed.
BLASTED
The Umlilo singer said she feels like the music industry has a lot of untalented people. "Now because the amapiano genre brought us some sort of people. Anyone can arrive and get song of the year and us, the real ones, we would still be waiting," she said. This did not sit well with many people and she was called out on social media. While others agreed, many felt she was out of line.
CLARITY
Speaking to ZiMoja, Rethabile says she wants to clarify as the statement might have been misconstrued. "Podcasts are edited," implying that her statement might have been taken out of context due to the editing. "There are a lot of talented artists in amapiano, but there are also a lot of unnecessary artists in the amapiano game," she said. "If you look at the people who started with the genre, where are they now? They are nowhere to be found." She continued to claim that the genre ‘started three years ago’ and said people have not lasted. "So, for me. I meant, other people are not educated enough and have enough knowledge of how the music game works. They think that you just go behind the mic, sing, rap, or say whatever gimmick that is flowing around in those times and you win. It doesn’t work like that," said a feisty Rethabile.
OUT WITH MEDIOCRITY
The daughter of a veteran singer adds that artists need to have a follow-up. "I did Umlilo and Ntjilo Ntjilo and I stayed. I am still here. I studied music. I went to The National School Of Arts. I play the guitar and double bass. I am talented. I know. There are a lot of people that are behind that we have forgotten about that are extremely talented but no longer in the platforms anymore because they are being discouraged," she said. "If someone can come and sing three or four lines and the song makes you sit, what about the people who take their time to write, and sing harmonies? It’s discouraging. So, let the people keep talking and let them say what they want," she said.
