When people found out that the Scorpion Kings actually charge between R200,000 and R300,000 to book them, they were shocked. This comes after Maphorisa went on a rant about event organizers who complained about their requirements, saying that they were actually getting a discount.
Scorpion Kings is a powerful duo made up of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small. They charge R200K for events held inside and R300K for events held outside. Aside from that, they want R28 000 for transportation, and the organizers will pay for their visas. They also want a 5 star hotel for both of them, as well as 9 standard rooms, no interviews, armed private security, and extra appearances.
Okay pic.twitter.com/6zI746dB97
— Simon Madowa (@simon_madowa) November 3, 2022
DJ Maphorisa once used Twitter to tell organizers not to complain about the prices because they were already low.
“You club owners and promoters forget that we give you guys discounted fees come with that bullsh** we will cancel you trust me we can do our own shows. Complaining about tech riders lame, now that’s greed.”
U Club owners n promoters forget dat we give u guys discounted fees come with dat bullshit we will cancel u trust me we can do our own shows
Complaining about tech riders lame 😒 now dats greed
— PorryMaduMoneyDoubleTrouble (@DjMaphorisa) November 1, 2022
The Scorpion Kings had problems with the Zimbabwean Organisers once. They were rumored to be going to jail because they didn’t show up to a gig they were paid for. The High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo issued an arrest warrant for them, but their lawyers fought it.
In April, they were supposed to play at the Victoria Falls Carnival in Zambia, but it seems that neither they nor Sha Sha, who sings for Amapiano, pitched for the event.
According to court papers shared on social media, they read:
“To the sheriff for Zimbabwe and all constables and other peace officers whom it may concern … whereas an order was made by the Honourable Mr Justice Dube-Banda ordering arrest of the first and second respondents and committing them in prison to confirm jurisdiction of the respondents”.
“Now therefore you are required and directed that you take Petrus Kabelo Motha and Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe of which they are found in Zimbabwe and deliver them to the keeper of the gaol at Bulawayo Prison, together with a copy of this writ, there to be safely kept until they are served with the summons against them issued by the High Court in Bulawayo …”
A source spoke to Newsday, and said there was no formal communication from the artist’s part.
“All three artists were fully paid their charges and contractually bound to perform at the carnival, but surprisingly they failed to turn up. There was no communication to the carnival organisers by the artists.”
“It was a civil case not even a criminal matter. The sheriff has authority to arrest someone in terms of a writ of (execution) and then hand them over to correctional services. There are no criminal charges here,” said Zibusiso Ncube speaking to Sowetan Live.