I was not paid—ATI on Cassper Nyovest gig

ATI
ATI

When South African rapper, Cassper Nyovest announced Botswana artists curated for his Fill Up Mmabatho Stadium Concert held over the weekend, local rapper ATI was set to hoist the blue, black, and white flag high.

ATI born Atasaone Molemogi, was announced alongside another local media personality and Emcee, Khumo Kgwaadira popularly known as Miss Geekays.

Whilst all eyes were on the Setimamolelo hitmaker to continue making his mark in the South African market, it came as a surprise when yours truly bumped into ATI at the Botswana Musician Union (BOMU) awards, the same day he was supposed to be across the border in Mafikeng.

Quizzed on why he had not travelled to perform, ATI said: “I take myself seriously as an artist and I am not going to let anyone treat me otherwise whether locally or in South Africa.”


Pressed further to clarify, ATI explained that although he was not a nominee, he chose to attend the BOMU awards to offer his support.

"I am all for unity and even though I am not nominated this evening I am here to show face and support my brothers and sisters," he said.

Back to why he was not in Mafikeng for the Fill Up Mmabatho Stadium Concert, ATI explained that they did not show him the money. "They did not pay me. Not even a single cent so why should I travel all the way when I have not been paid?”

ATI further expressed disappointment with his allocated time slot: “They had said I should perform around 2pm or something like that. I mean come on, don’t I deserve better than that? It was just not going to work but the main reason is that I have not been paid hence why I am here.”

Meanwhile, Kgwaadira honoured her performance. Efforts to get a comment from Kgwaadira on whether her contract was fulfilled proved futile.

Following the event, Cassper Nyovest took to social media to post, “This event had so many issues I can’t even start to explain. The fact that this event even happened was a miracle. Thank you so much for your support. I am nothing but grateful. I am humbled and overwhelmed. I wanna come back next year.”

Editor's Comment
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