DANCEHALL chanter Winky D has distanced himself from the sturdy line-up of artistes who are billed to perform at the Mad Level Riddim launch slated for Mbare Netball Complex on Saturday. WINSTONE ANTONIO
In a post on his official Facebook account which he later confirmed to NewsDay through his manager Jonathan Banda, the Musarova Bigman singer said he was not booked to perform at the event.
“It is with regret that I wish to advise all loyal and loving dancehall fans that contrary to what is being advertised by way of posters and within other media sources, Winky D is not booked to perform at Mbare Netball Complex on Saturday 20th September 2014,” read part of the post.
“Management does not know about this arrangement and will accordingly engage the people behind it and any authorities if need be. As such, advertising an artiste who would not have been engaged to be part of the billing is not only unwarranted disregard of the artiste, but unworthy disrespect of the owners of the music who are the fans.”
In the same post, Winky D said it was necessary to cultivate a culture of integrity around music by honouring fans through being honest in adverts.
“To all the fans who had been misled into believing the advert, I wish to convey my sincere apologies and emphasise that Winky D is not part of this show. IGWWEEEEEEE u won’t see us there.” The musician’s manager yesterday told NewsDay that they were not going to perform since they had no contractual agreement with the organisers of the show.
“We never talked of us performing at the Mad Level Riddim launch with any promoter that’s why we have not signed a contract with anyone purporting to be organising that show,” Banda said.
“If you are saying the contract was signed by Layan Souljah on behalf of the Vigilance, what is the basis that shows that for sure Layan is the one with that signature?”
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While Winky D has made it clear that he will not perform at the Riddim lunch, Chillspot and Legendary Music producers insist that the Musarova Bigman singer inked a contract with them prior to the recording of the track.
DJ Fantan real name (Arnold Kamujariwa) of Chillspot Records said Winky D’s camp inked a deal with Chillspot and Legendary Music prior to the recording of the track represented by the musician’s younger brother Layan Souljah.
“It is unfortunate that Winky D is now distancing himself from the Mad Level Riddim launch yet his younger brother Layan Souljah signed the contract on behalf of the Vigilance.
“The agreement stated that an artiste either pays to be on the Riddim or performs at the Riddim launch as payment for using the beat, “DJ Fantan said.
“Part of the agreement reads: “On the launch of the Madlevel Riddim on a date to be advised with prior notice we require . . . (artiste) as a condition to appear on this Riddim to come and perform for a period of not more than 40 minutes free of charge as a way of uplifting and supporting the producers.”
Fantan said Winky D and his management are taking advantage of their inability to secure legal representation.
“While Winky D accuses Chillspot and Legendary Music of ‘unwarranted disregard of the artiste’ and ‘unworthy disrespect of the owners of the music who are the fans’ — we believe that it is actually him (Winky D) and his management who are not only reneging on their promise,” DJ Fantan said.
“With or without Winky D, the Mad Level Riddim launch will go ahead on Saturday as we continue to empower ourselves as ghetto youths and empower those that are willing not only to work with us, but see us put food on the table for our families.”
The Mad Level Riddimlaunch will feature more than 50 artistes all who recorded on the Riddim
