DJ Cleo, whose real name is Cleopas Monyepao, recently opened up about the struggles of South Africa's entertainment industry, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
The well-known DJ and producer, who’s had a string of hits like “Tong Po”, appeared on Mac G’s “Podcast and Chill”, where he shared his thoughts on the current state of the industry.
According to him, the rise of talentless influencers is pushing genuinely skilled artists out of the spotlight.
Cleo didn’t hold back when expressing his frustration.
He said: “I’m not happy with how people with zero talent are securing more bags than talented artists. It’s just sad. I saw somewhere on social media that ‘no talent is the new talent’.”
He pointed out that the issue extends to acting and radio, with influencers taking over roles traditionally reserved for trained professionals.
“Even in acting, they now go for influencers, and radio—just because you have a big following.”
Cleo, who’s been in the game for over two decades, highlighted how hardworking DJs are losing gigs to social media personalities, despite their talent and experience.
“I know many DJs … and generally the most conscientious among us as male DJs are getting outbooked by influencers.”
This isn’t the first time Cleo has spoken up about challenges in the entertainment industry. In previous interviews, he’s addressed the impact of the pandemic on performers and how many artists struggled to make ends meet during lockdown.
With gigs and live events cancelled, many had to pivot and find new ways to survive. Now, Cleo is raising alarm bells about another threat - one driven by social media’s obsession with influencers.
His concerns are echoed by many in the industry, as the line between genuine talent and popularity continues to blur.
Several South African artists and public figures have voiced similar concerns to DJ Cleo’s about the rise of social media influencers overshadowing talented professionals.
One such artist is Prince Kaybee, a well-known DJ and music producer. In 2020, Kaybee criticized the trend of giving more opportunities to influencers in the entertainment industry, pointing out that hard-working artists were losing out on gigs.
He has consistently urged fellow musicians to protect their craft by demanding fair compensation. Kaybee cautioned that some artists might not financially recover if they continued to accept minimal offers from brands or perform for free.
He highlighted the exploitation of artists during these challenging times, warning that "2021 is not on the house," indicating that DJs should not perform without fair payment.