Lerato Sengadi hits back in fight over HHP's #Sama25 Lifetime Award
HHP's widow Lerato Sengadi has come out strongly to set the record straight after the late hip-hop star's former business partner accused her of trying to use his death for publicity.
The claims came after Lerato announced that she was proud to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award, which HHP will be honoured with at this year's Samas.
HHP will become the youngest recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at the music awards this weekend.
Last week Seabelo Modibe, who was HHP's business partner at Lekoko Entertainment, told Sunday World that he objected to Lerato receiving the award on the rapper's behalf because she was allegedly not his wife and had apparently not informed him nor the rapper's family.
Lerato hit back at the accusations in a statement on Tuesday, where she claimed she had applied to the Samas and the Recording Industry of SA (Risa) as Tsambo's customary wife.
"On March 21 2019, I, as Jabba's customary wife, applied and submitted all the relevant paperwork to the SA Music Awards and Risa for the opportunity that Jabba may be considered for the Lifetime Achievement Award. On May 10 2019 I was informed by e-mail that Jabba would be honoured with this prestigious award. I am in possession of the e-mail sent to me, as well as the official acceptance letter," she said in part of the statement.
Lerato also claimed to have e-mailed HHP's mother Theriso and requested that the rapper's son Leano join her in accepting the award.
She went on to slam Seabelo for trying to dampen this celebratory occasion.
"This award is to further cement Jabba's icon status within the music and entertainment industry, and it is unfortunate that Mr Modibe would use such a celebratory occasion to mare Jabba's illustrious career as well as villainise myself," the statement reads in part.
Statement. South African Music Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award: Jabba pic.twitter.com/903Mpu0cUv
— Lerato Sengadi (@Leratolicious) May 28, 2019
The statement was shared widely with many celebs, including Manaka Ranaka, Kelly Khumalo, Ms Cosmo, Dineo Ranaka and Simz Ngema sharing their support for Lerato and encouraging their followers to stand behind her.
View this post on Instagramโ๐ฟโ๐ฟโ๐ฟ We behind you ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ
A post shared by Manaka Ranaka (@manakaranaka) on
A statement from โฆ@Leratoliciousโฉ ๐๐ฝ Letโs stand behind her pic.twitter.com/qwGtSyN4y5
— AY BABY let's CONNECT on 88 (@MsCosmoSA) May 28, 2019
View this post on InstagramOur dearest @leratolicious1... One day the dust will settle friend. It will. ๐นโค๏ธ
A post shared by Dineo On Decks (@dineoranaka) on