The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
GWERU-BORN Harare-based music producer, Prince ‘‘Oskid’’ Tapfumaneyi, has been called out by a United Kingdom-based Afro-pop musician — Lamont Chitepo for not meeting his end of the bargain in a supposed botched music deal.
Chitepo, a fast becoming popular musician, who used to go by the name Tu Short and resides in UK, recently called out the producer out on Facebook, expressing displeasure towards Oskid, who over the past year or so made a name for himself from nothing.
Oskid’s reputation in the music industry by far surpasses that of many renowned and established music producers. Contrary to that Oskid’s reputation is now at risk, perhaps owing much to his own orchestration.
“To those that have been waiting or in-boxing me asking me about songs I did with Oskid. There will be no songs guys. Oskid said his computer has crashed and he lost everything and we have on many occasions tried to call to him with no success. We have now left this in God’s hands and are continuing to work with other various producers, anyway my new single will out soon,” wrote Lamont.
In an interview, Lamont said he was seriously disappointed in Oskid, labelling him a conman.
“He is indeed a conman. The respect I have for his talent is not the same respect I have for him as an individual. And he shows you he doesn’t care and is untouchable. I have also spoken to another artiste who is very disappointed,” he said.
Lamont also expressed concern about the recent hullabaloo about a track Oskid was accused of stealing from Queen Vee and remixed it for Fungisai.
“It’s very possible he duped that girl Vee, people are too excited about the song and ignore what may have happened to Vee. I can relate to what has happened to her. There is no smoke without fire. I was shocked by the behaviour,” he said, adding that Oskid had built an empire on tears.
Oskid’s manager, Hilary Mutake said there was no need for their issue to be made public neither on social media nor in the newspapers.
“From what I know he wanted a beat and we did it but then our machine crashed, we then did another and gave him but he declined it. Who is he anyway? He just made one single and he is just looking to make a name out of nothing. One can’t come into the music industry by tarnishing other people’s reputations. That’s why our industry isn’t growing. If it’s an issue to do with money we can reimburse him. It’s not an issue,” said Mutake.
Lamont refuted the allegations.
“It was two songs at $70 each. They made a beat which was completely different and not of good quality. It was not usable. I have evidence that it was two songs anyway. They said they will give me the money then they went silent about it and were very rude. They can still give me the money.
Lamont recently released a sizzling dance track Maiwe featuring Nigerian singer-cum-actor, Kevwe Isaac Nikoro, popularly known as Kin.
Maiwe is off his four-track album with the same title.
He released his debut album Ndiwe in the UK in 2010, leading to his nomination for the Black Entertainment, Film, Fashion, Television, Arts and Sports Awards, which celebrate black and ethnic personalities in showbiz.
He has worked with some seasoned artistes such as Delani Makhalima, Major E and shared the stage with Chimurenga guru Thomas Mapfumo.
