Comedian and businessman Mongezi “Toll A$$ Mo” Mahlangu (Ngcobondwane) has parted ways with his business partner at Black Crown Music, less than a year after the recording label and events company was established.
Toll A$$ Mo had partnered with his former business associate to build the new entertainment venture, which was positioned as part of his efforts to rebuild his career and expand beyond comedy.
However, the partnership has now come to an end following unresolved differences between the two parties. Toll A$$ Mo has since stepped away from the business.
The departure comes as Black Crown Music was beginning to establish itself in the music industry, with artists including Umthakathi Kush, Ginger, Nicholen and Sandy MRD among those associated with the label.
The correct spelling of the artist is Umthakathi Kush. The amapiano artist, whose real name is Tshepo Makhubela, has built a growing profile through collaborations with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Kabza De Small, DJ Maphorisa, Young Stunna and Tyler ICU.
A new chapter in Toll A$$ Mo’s career
Black Crown Music formed part of a much bigger comeback for Toll A$$ Mo, who has been open about the financial and personal difficulties he has experienced in recent years.
The comedian previously revealed that he had lost his house, farm and car and was forced to sell some of his valuables while trying to survive and rebuild his life.
“I’ve been a survivor,” he said previously. “I am trying to get my life back.”
He also spoke about the people who stood by him during his darkest period, singling out legendary music producer Lebo M as one of the people who supported him when he was struggling financially.
Toll A$$ Mo recalled calling Lebo M for petrol money and said the producer would send him money from the United States.
“There were times I’d call him asking for petrol money, and he’d wire it from the USA,” he said.
His experiences have also influenced the way he approaches business and relationships, with the comedian saying he has lost friends and people he cared about while going through difficult times.
He previously warned that some people were now trying to get close to him because they believed he was “on the come up again”.
From comedy to music
The launch of Black Crown Music represented another step in Toll A$$ Mo’s attempts to diversify his career.
Although he remains best known for comedy and television, he has increasingly explored entrepreneurship and music, using the new label and events business to create opportunities for emerging artists.
Umthakathi Kush, in particular, has continued to grow his profile in the amapiano space. His credits include “Imithandazo”, a collaboration with Kabza De Small, Mthunzi, DJ Maphorisa, Sizwe Alakine and Young Stunna, while his more recent work includes “Heke” and “Kush Money”.
For Toll A$$ Mo, the move into music was part of a broader attempt to rebuild after what he described as one of the most difficult periods of his life.
He has also spoken openly about mental health, revealing that his gardener once found him during a suicide attempt and saved his life.
“He saved my life,” he said emotionally.
The experience prompted him to encourage other men to speak about their struggles rather than suffer silently.
“It’s okay to cry,” he said.
Another major change in his personal life
The latest business development comes shortly after Toll A$$ Mo publicly confirmed that he and Mome Nala are legally separated.
He has referred to Mome as his “ex-wife”, while she has also been seen without her wedding ring, marking another significant change in his personal life.
