Zakes Bantwini has revealed that fame and hit records once came at a heavy personal cost, forcing him to step away from music for several years.
Speaking on Gagasi FM with Sphe, DJ Naves and Selbeyonce, the Grammy-winning artist said his musical achievements often created tension among his peers.
“I felt every song I make, I make an enemy,” he shared. “Because the success of a song iyasixabanisa [creates conflict], royalties and not seeing eye to eye bring other people into our friendship and success.”
The Osama hitmaker said the emotional strain from constant disputes over royalties and recognition made him take a step back from the industry.
“I stopped making music; that’s why I went to Sony Music. I was like, ‘This thing is hurting me. It’s making me more enemies than it’s making me [happy or successful],’” he explained.
Zakes said he took a break between 2016 and 2019 to focus on his peace before making a strong comeback, a journey that later led him to his 2023 Grammy win for Bayethe alongside Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode.