Afro-house group Black Motion’s power duo Morda and Smols have allegedly split once again and refuse to be in the same room together.
Morda and Smols, real names Bongani Mohosana and Roy Thabo Mabogwane, allegedly refuse to talk to each other. They decline bookings together, don’t take pictures together and can’t be in the same room alone together.
So intense is the squabble between the two that communication can only be via a third party. They have appointed music group Afrikan Roots as a mediator and the only means of communication with each other.
Duo not on good terms
A source close to the band said even though the two have worked on a new song together, titled Takala, they are not on good terms.
“There has been an altercation between the two brands and that is why they decided to split. They don’t feel comfortable to be in the same place or even have a conversation over the phone.
“[The duo] appointed Afrikan Roots as the group that can communicate with both brands where necessary,” the source said.
It is not clear why the two former best friends hate each other’s guts.
Previously, they squashed rumours that they decided to split as a group because of Morda’s relationship with fellow musician and now wife, DJ Zinhle.
However, the animosity between the duo remains so bad. They even have to be booked separate tables at VIP sections when they are booked together.
The tension has also allegedly caused frustration for Afrikan Roots as a mediator between the two. It’s becoming a challenge to navigate the two egos as mediator to make sure their new rekindled relationship work.
The squabbles between the two has led to their new song Takala being removed from streaming sites.
Disagreements on song share percentages
This is allegedly because Morda and Smols allegedly could not agree on song share percentages. The impasse led to the song being pulled off streaming sites and not generating any income for both of them.
Afrikan Roots founder Kenneth Manyemula told Sunday World that they feel they can still save the group.
“As Afrikan Roots, we went to Black Motion Studios to create a song. When we left after creating the song, DJ Bucks heard the song. And Morda also heard the song and wanted to be part of it.
“Problem is that because there is a split. And there being no communication between the two of them, Afrikan Roots had to be the link between Black Motion and Morda. This in order for the collaboration to be successful. If it was not for Afrikan Roots it was not going to happen. Because they are not on speaking terms,“ he said.
He added that the song was taken down recently because of split share issues.
“We had agreed on how we are going to split the song. The challenge now came when papers were not properly done and the song was out. So from Morda’s side they had to pull the song down.
“The song is not yet up. But there is an agreement to put it back up on all streaming sites,” he said.
New manager stepped in, but also battling to fix the duo’s issues
Sunday World understands that other artists who are featured on the song have sought help elsewhere. They have asked for the assistance of seasoned artist manager and late musician Zahara’s manager, Oyama Dyosiba, to intervene.
However, after a few weeks with the group, Dyosiba was left with a headache. This comes after the tension between the two caused a strain on gig attendance and PR run for their new song.
Dyosiba told Sunday World that he is excited about the summer tour with Afrikan Roots and Black Motion. But he is concerned about the division between the artists.
“Takala is one of the most outstanding historic masterpieces ever released in South Africa. I hope all divisions within the parties can be resolved before the summer tour which is in motion. Music unites, and I hope the song lyrics (rikho takala zwino, Na dzikhonani Dzanga, which means “we are happy now, with my friends’ prevails,” Dyosiba said.
Morda and Smols were not immediately available for comment.
