Entrepreneur and legend in the South African hip-hop music, rapper Siyabonga Metane, aka Slikour, has hit back at rapper David Manda “BabyDaiz” Nzapa’s critics, saying, ‘leave the kids alone!’
The 23-year-old artist has riled up some social media users for allegedly using the k***** word in his new song “Allez Tobina”.
The alleged usage of the derogatory term has angered some South Africans.
On his YouTube channel, the lyrics of the song say: “Pretty boy she’s in love wouldn’t cuff her”.
However, when one listens to the song, he is heard saying: “Pretty boy she’s in love with the K*****r”.
Responding to the backlash, Slikour has defended the artist.
He says it’s unfortunate that the younger generation is paying the price for the country’s inability to invest in its heritage, nationalism and history, like other countries like Germany.
He believes that when there isn’t sufficient investment in the arts, entertainment and music sectors, young people end up not knowing about their history or the parameters of what can/can’t be said.
The entrepreneur says it’s time for people to stop using the country’s history for politicking.
Diversity specialist, Teresa Oakley-Smith, who’s listened to the song along with her 19-year-old grandson, has rubbished the written lyrics of the song, saying they’re convinced that they heard the K-word.
“…that the written script is rubbish and untrue it is rather ironic that today (June 26) is the anniversary of the Freedom Charter where we had hoped to get rid of all that was negative and racist about South Africa. It is sad that a young South African or part South African feels that it is still okay to use the K word.”
According to Oakley-Smith, it’s unfortunate that a man as young as BabyDaiz would use a word that still carries a lot of traumas for some South Africans.
“The K-word is in fact illegal in the equality act and even if it was not illegal it is reprehensible. This is the word that caused so much pain to our parents and grandparents and in fact still does it is a great pity when one hears it used so flippantly by someone as young as BabyDaiz,” says the diversity specialist.
“I found it so reprehensible partly because of my age and because I was very much part of the apartheid age and still bear some of the privilege of being white, but my grandson who is black also feels that it is not necessary or even acceptable /appropriate to use the K-word at all, even in a rap song.”
She adds that the comparison to how American’s use the word ‘nigga’ isn’t the same for South Africa.
“People using the N-word in America tend to be young Americans, who are the minority in that population. Here in South Africa people offended by the K-word are the majority of our population. I hope BabyDiaz with all his talent and his three languages (English, French and Swahili) will be able to do better with his words.”
Photo Credit: @babydaiz
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it’s investigating the song.
“The SAHRC is investigating the usage of the word to determine whether there is a contravention of the Equality Act.”
Social media users have expressed mixed emotions over the song’s alleged usage of the K-word.
The Hate on Babydaiz needs to be investigated. Man under smoke for allegedly using the K-Word .Since when does Human rights commission scrutinize Music (Art) lyrics. pic.twitter.com/KYMFVun0cm
