NaakMusiQ and Black Motion accused of 'disrespecting' Botswana audiences

29 June 2016 - 18:19 By TMG Entertainment
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Actor and musician Anga Makubalo.
Actor and musician Anga Makubalo.
Image: Anga Makubalo via Facebook

According to Botswana's Mmegi Online, audiences were left unimpressed with SA musicians NaakMusiQ and Black Motion over the weekend, after a series of moves they are calling disrespectful.

Both artists were supposed to perform at the Desert Music Festival in Jwaneng but the event's organisers have apparently accused Black Motion of trying to kick another act off stage and NaakMusiQ of not showing up at all - claims that both have denied.

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Speaking to the publication, the event's organiser Mabitso Kesenye said that Black Motion had tried to force local musician Charma Gal off stage by setting up while she was performing and, when they were approached, threatened to leave.

"They threatened to leave because we couldn’t let them interfere and cut Charma Gal’s performance short,” he told Mmegi Online.

He denied rumours that the band's car was attacked by fans who tried to prevent them from leaving, but said that the group decided to cut their set down to four songs because of the situation.

The group have disputed the claims, telling TMG Entertainment that the organisers had not kept to the agreed time for their set and, after safety concerns around their departure, they decided to stay and perform.

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"No one was kicked off stage by Black Motion or the team, but the performer who was on stage then had to have their performance shortened for Black Motion to perform. This was handled by the organisers and stage manager," the group's management said.

Naak no-show

The festivals' organisers also claimed that NaakMusiQ did not show up for his scheduled performance, despite the artist being paid in full ahead of the time, with his management not providing any explanation for the no-show.

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Naak has responded to the claims saying that he had explained to the organisers that he would not be in attendance, as he had lost his travel documents. He has apologised to fans.

"It was beyond my control and I sincerely apologise to all the people that were there to see me perform. I would never intentionally miss a booking. More than I love my job, I love my fans and I feel terrible for having disappointed them. I will make it up," he told TMG Entertainment.

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