Rapper Emtee, real name Mthembeni Ndevu, has ended his professional relationship with manager Hlubi Radebe following months of alleged tension over the handling of his career and business affairs.
In a statement announcing the decision, the Roll Up hitmaker said he wanted to move into a new chapter of his career with a team that prioritises transparency, growth and protecting his brand.
“ As I step into a new chapter and a new vision for my career, I’ve made the decision to part ways with my previous management,” Emtee said.
He added that concerns about payments for performances and appearances had contributed to his decision to end the working relationship.
“Unfortunately, there have been payments made for gigs and appearances to my former management that have not been handled in a way that reflects my values or protects my brand. I can no longer allow that to continue,” he said.
Months of alleged conflict
A source familiar with the situation, who asked not to be named, said the relationship between Emtee and Radebe had been strained for several months, with attempts to resolve their differences proving unsuccessful.
“There has been conflict between Emtee and Hlubi for several months which could not be resolved. It even resulted in the intervention of his family, who started taking over his bookings,” the source said.
According to the source, Emtee had been trying to resolve the issues before ultimately deciding to terminate the professional relationship.
The source also alleged that there were concerns about how booking fees were being handled, claiming that the amounts charged to promoters were allegedly being inflated while commission was still being taken.
These allegations have not been independently verified, and no evidence has been made public to establish wrongdoing by Radebe. She should be given an opportunity to respond to the claims.
Dispute over contract
The source further claimed that disagreements extended to the terms of the working agreement, alleging that Radebe had attempted to bind the rapper to a contract the source described as unreasonable.
“Hlubi made him his cash cow,” the source said.
“Hlubi also tried to tie him down to a ridiculous contract that was binding, but it was no longer going to work. He will probably take legal action after the termination, but no one cares. He can go ahead,” the source said.
It remains unclear whether any legal proceedings have been initiated following the termination. Radebe’s response to the allegations was not available at the time of publication.
Emtee wants to protect his brand
In his statement, Emtee made it clear that he wanted greater control over the business side of his career and the people authorised to represent him.
The rapper has previously spoken publicly about the challenges of managing his career after leaving Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2019. He has since continued releasing music and building his independent brand through Emtee Records.
The latest development places the spotlight on the business relationships behind an artist’s career, particularly the management of performance bookings, payments and contractual obligations.
For Emtee, the message is that he wants his next chapter to be built around transparency, accountability and a team that shares his vision.
As the situation unfolds, further clarity is expected on the circumstances surrounding the split and whether the disagreement will lead to legal action.
