Cassper causes millions confusion
Rapper gets flak for 10m sales claim
After being lauded for his inspirational Fill Up FNB Stadium last week, rapper Cassper Nyovest has received some flak for inflating his sales.
The latest to join the fray is the Recording Industry of SA (RiSA) which dismissed the rapper’s claim that he has sold more than 10 million records.
RiSA’s CEO Advocate Nhlanhla Sibisi noted as “confusing” the statement released by the superstar on Twitter a few days after his record-breaking Fill Up FNB Stadium.
The rapper, whose real name is Refiloe Phoolo, posted that he had sold 10 million units in his career, leaving the majority of his fans to think that he had sold more than 10 million albums.
Sibisi said RiSA was also in the dark about the Mahikengborn rapper’s claim as it had not verified this.
“The confusion lies in the understanding of what a record is. Some people think a record is an album, which is not true. A record can be one song. For instance, we have record of the year category in the SA Music Awards which relates to one song,” he said.
Sibisi said given that he announced the 10 million figure, it could only mean his songs were streamed 10 million times.
“I can't confirm if he has actually done that because, as RiSA, we certify gold and platinum based on a set criteria mostly on sales…”
Sibisi said RiSA has not certified any record sales above 500 000 in its history, way less than what the Tito Mboweni hit maker claims he has under his belt. “Imagine if you were to sell that many albums; it would be a record unequalled.” Earlier this week, popular producer DJ Maphorisa called Cassper’s claim “lies”. Cassper’s manager T-lee Mmolawa had not responded by the time of going to press.