Idols SA judge, choreographer, actor and reality star Somizi Mhlongo says he still doesn’t get why there is gap in treatment between local and international artists.
In an interview with BONA Magazine July issue, Somizi spoke about how international artists get what they want saying; “When global artists perform in SA, they list their demands, such as personal dressing rooms and bodyguards, they get that”.
He also said that the reason why this may be happening is because local acts are not asking for what they deserve. “Our local artists are yet to fully express themselves, and ask for what they want and rightfully deserve,” Somizi urged in the interview.
Somizi’s comments come hot on the heels of rapper AKA speaking out on how international artist gets better treatment than compared to their local counter parts.
In a series of tweets (see below) AKA addressed the issue, including revealing how local acts were treated unfairly at the recent J Cole concert at the TicketPro Dome.
Hearing stories of hectic mistreatment of SA acts at J.Cole … I BEEN singing this song!!!!— AKA (@akaworldwide) June 20, 2016
That Kanye show was in 2012/2013. Haven’t done one of these “open up for” shows since. Get treated like dirt in my own country? No thanks.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) June 20, 2016
It’s not that I don’t want to perform on he same line up as them! No! It’s that I want the same treatment with regards to PRODUCTION VALUE.— AKA (@akaworldwide) June 20, 2016
The best “opening” I ever did was for AXE and Big Sean …. They treated such with such respect that we went out on stage and killed it.
— AKA (@akaworldwide) June 20, 2016
Source: BONA Magazine
Pic: Somizi Mhlongo Instagram
