Lioness Ratang: “Zaine Aftermath Tarnished Her Image”
Nako Tsele hitmaker Lioness Ratang has found herself embroiled in controversy after promoter Zaine Aftermath leaked a private conversation between her and the Kgatleng Family Fun Day Festival organizers. The fallout has not only sparked debates about professionalism in the music industry but also raised broader questions about artist compensation and respect within the business.
The Heated Fallout
The drama began when Lioness Ratang canceled her booking at the eleventh hour, a move she described as a favor for a family event. According to Lioness, the P5,000 fee was agreed upon to support the organizers, who are relatives, rather than as a typical business transaction.
However, Zaine Aftermath’s decision to leak details of their communication escalated the situation, with Lioness accusing him of tarnishing her image and launching a smear campaign. “I have no business with Zaine Aftermath. He was not involved in my booking. His actions were unprofessional and unnecessary,” she stated.
Zaine’s Defense
Responding to the backlash, Zaine Aftermath issued a fiery statement defending his actions and criticizing the broader conversation surrounding artist compensation.
“It’s always so easy to throw in your 2 cents on issues you guys know nothing about. None of you knows half the hell we go through to put together these events. It’s so easy to throw baseless figures around… you guys name prices based on nothing and use the word ‘deserve’ to try to justify your arguments. You cannot justify everything with ‘deserve’ in business; the numbers have to make sense. Pina e kgona go nna big mme gosena mosola, Lona koore hale tlhaloganye sepe (A song can become big, but it might not be profitable; you simply don’t understand anything).”
Zaine’s comments reflect the frustrations faced by many promoters who balance tight budgets while working to deliver successful events.
Amantle Brown’s Criticism
Compounding the controversy, veteran songstress Amantle Brown criticized Lioness Ratang for accepting a P5,000 fee, calling it “peanuts.” Amantle remarked, “I would rather stay home than take up a job that pays peanuts,” highlighting her belief that such fees devalue the music industry.
This sparked a larger debate on artist compensation, with established artists advocating for higher fees reflective of their experience, while others argue that emerging artists must prioritize exposure over earnings.
The Divide in Botswana’s Music Scene
The clash between Lioness Ratang, Zaine Aftermath, and Amantle Brown underscores the growing divide in Botswana’s music industry. Emerging artists like Lioness face challenges in balancing their worth against the realities of the market, while established names emphasize the importance of maintaining industry standards.
Supporters of Lioness defend her decision, saying P5,000 is a reasonable fee for an artist still making her mark. Critics, however, worry that such fees undercut the industry’s value and set harmful precedents.
Lioness Moves Forward
For Lioness Ratang, this controversy has been a wake-up call. Acknowledging the damage caused, she has since hired a booking manager to handle future engagements, ensuring professionalism and clarity moving forward.
“This experience was a hard lesson, but I am now taking steps to ensure my bookings are handled professionally to avoid misunderstandings,” she said.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, this debate highlights the complexities of Botswana’s music industry. Promoters like Zaine Aftermath struggle to make events financially viable, while artists wrestle with pricing that reflects their value without alienating their audience or collaborators.
The Lioness-Zaine-Amantle saga serves as a reminder of the need for open, respectful dialogue between artists and promoters. As Botswana’s music scene continues to grow, the industry must address these issues to ensure fairness, professionalism, and sustainability for all stakeholders.
For now, Lioness Ratang is focused on moving past the controversy, determined to let her music and professionalism shape her legacy.
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