Cassper Nyovest’s Bold Statement on Mthandeni SK’s SAMA Victory
The 30th Annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) on November 2, 2024, at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, celebrated another year of musical brilliance in South Africa. However, the event has since been overshadowed by a brewing social media clash between hip-hop star Cassper Nyovest and renowned maskandi artist Mthandeni SK, also known as Igcokama Elisha. Mthandeni’s hit single “Paris,” featuring Lwah Ndlunkulu, won the prestigious Record of the Year award, but the victory sparked a heated debate when Cassper publicly questioned the decision, igniting a war of words between the two artists’ fan bases.
Mthandeni SK’s “Paris,” released in August 2023, became a massive hit, garnering over 24 million views on YouTube within just a year. The song’s success culminated in its recognition at the SAMAs, where it triumphed in one of the night’s biggest categories. However, Cassper Nyovest was quick to voice his opinion on the outcome. On November 2, 2024, he posted on X saying, stating, “No ways. Tyla won a Grammy for ‘Water,’ bro, but she don’t get the Sama for Record of the Year at home? Haha, y’all are playing games.” The comment was seen as Cassper questioning how a Grammy-winning artist like Tyla could lose the same category to a local maskandi star.
Cassper commented Mthandeni’s post on Facebook on the 6th of November, clarifying that he wasn’t attacking Mthandeni directly. He wrote, “Heh baba. Don’t be emotional, I never said anything about you. I just said Tyla had a bigger song, it won a Grammy, and I felt like it deserved to win Record of the Year. Respectfully, I wasn’t trying to take a jab at you or your song. Mara also, why you biting your lips in this picture? lol… come on champ.” This attempt at diffusing the situation did little to calm the storm, as both fanbases continued to engage in a back-and-forth, with some even speculating that Cassper’s comment was a subtle challenge for a boxing match with Mthandeni.
Cassper’s comments instantly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Many fans of hip-hop supported his viewpoint, agreeing that Tyla’s Grammy win for “Water” made her the obvious choice for Record of the Year. They argued that international recognition should have carried more weight in the SAMAs. On the other hand, maskandi fans rallied behind Mthandeni, praising his song’s national success and cultural relevance. The clash between these two camps turned into a heated online debate, with fans of both genres defending their favorites.
The SAMAs this year were filled with surprises, and the Record of the Year category was one of the most hotly contested. Tyla’s “Water” had taken the world by storm, winning a Grammy and amassing millions of streams globally. However, Mthandeni’s “Paris” resonated deeply with South African audiences, particularly within the maskandi community. One fan, Philasande Hlomuka, echoed this sentiment by tagging Cassper in a comment: “But my guy, his song equally did well nationally. It could have been any of those songs really, and we’re glad the best song won. Also, did Tyla campaign for the song to win? Mthandeni did. And had Tyla done so, she could have won. She has a bigger fan base.”
The conversation soon moved beyond music, with fans speculating about whether this social media spat could lead to something more physical. Cassper Nyovest is no stranger to celebrity boxing matches, having squared off with other artists in the past to settle disputes. Many fans began to wonder if this online feud could culminate in a boxing match between Cassper and Mthandeni. The idea of a hip-hop versus maskandi showdown intrigued supporters on both sides, with some even suggesting that a charity boxing match could settle the score once and for all.
While the SAMAs are intended to celebrate the diversity of South African music, the ongoing feud between Cassper and Mthandeni has highlighted the underlying tensions between different genres and fanbases. Hip-hop and maskandi have long occupied different spaces in the South African music scene, but this clash has brought the two into direct competition. Whether or not a boxing match materializes, the heated exchange between these two popular figures has certainly captured the public’s attention.
For now, Mthandeni SK continues to enjoy the fruits of his success, with “Paris” maintaining its momentum on the charts. Meanwhile, Cassper Nyovest’s comments have reignited the debate about what criteria should define the Record of the Year in South Africa—national impact or international acclaim. The drama surrounding the SAMAs this year proves that the event is not just about the awards but also about the conversations, controversies, and conflicts that arise in its aftermath.