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In an exclusive interview with HMR News Updates, Billy Don Mokantas spoke out about the controversy surrounding the song "Ho Kaba Monate" by Focalistic, which he claims was originally his song.
According to Don, the song was released before the 21-day COVID-19 national shutdown in South Africa, but he and his team could not market it properly due to the lockdown. The original song was titled "Solit T feat. Billy Don Mokantas - Monate," It was already being played on TV and radio before the shutdown.
Don alleges that Focalistic remixed the song without his permission and that it was his friend and producer, 6K, who created the beat. He claims that Focalistic and his team never contacted him about using the song and that he only found out about the remix after it was released in March 2023.
"In an interview, we had with Don, he expressed his disappointment that Focalistic didn't reach out to him or his team before using the song," HMR News Updates reports. "He feels that Focalistic stole the song and used it for his benefit without giving credit where credit is due."
Don also blames SolidT, who he says owns the rights to the song, for backstabbing him. He claims that SolidT had a chance to clear things up with Focalistic but instead saw an opportunity for himself.
According to Don, SolidT had agreed to use his name as the owner of the song, with Don featured as the artist. The two had also decided to split the royalties and endorsements from the song. However, Don says that SolidT registered the song as his alone with SAMRO, the South African Music Rights Organisation, without his knowledge.
"I was also surprised when I contacted SAMRO and found out that SolidT had registered the song as his own without my permission," Don said. "SAMRO advised me to register the song on my own so that they can allocate the royalties accordingly."
Don also expressed frustration with SolidT for no longer responding to his calls and messages and for siding with Focalistic behind his back.
"I feel betrayed by SolidT," Don said. "He had a chance to clear things up with Focalistic, but instead, he chose to work with him behind my back. It's not fair to me or my team."
Don added that he just wants to be credited for the song. "That is all I am fighting for," he said.
The controversy has sparked debate in the South African music industry, with many fans taking to social media to express their support for Don and his claim to the song. However, Focalistic and SolidT have yet to respond to the allegations.
While some on social media are accusing Don of lying, the majority seem to side with him, as they know that mainstream artists often take advantage of upcoming artists and claim their music. This situation reminds artists to have things on paper before going public, as they cannot change them once they are out there.
HMR News Updates will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
