Rasta the Artist Apologises for Inkosi Yamagcokama Portrait After Dlamini Family Backlash

• Rasta the Artist addressed the public after his portrait of the late Scebi 'Inkosi Yamagcokama' Dlamini sparked widespread outrage
• The controversial painter said he never intended to disrespect the Dlamini family with his painting of the deceased Maskandi musician
• Rasta is no stranger to criticism over his portraits, which are widely known for bearing little resemblance to their subjects

South Africa's most talked-about portrait painter, Rasta the Artist, has spoken out after his painting of the late Scebi "Inkosi Yamagcokama" Dlamini drew fierce criticism from fans and the Dlamini family. In a selfie-style video shared by the Daily Sun on 15 August 2026, Rasta addressed the controversy head-on, insisting that mockery was never his intention.

Inkosi Yamagcokama passed away following a car accident, and Rasta, as has become his tradition, chose to paint the late artist as a tribute. The portrait, however, did not sit well with many who felt it was disrespectful to the legacy of the musician and to his grieving family.

Read also

Busiswa slams Sfiso Ndlovu's seemingly drunken rant about Tyla's SAMA moment

Rasta Explains His Intentions

Filmed indoors against a backdrop of colourful African tribal-patterned fabric and a painted portrait, Rasta delivered his message in a serious, explanatory tone. He made clear that the piece was never meant to cause pain, and that his brush was guided by tribute rather than ridicule.

Rasta has long been a polarising figure in South African pop culture. He regularly paints portraits of prominent South Africans who have passed away, and occasionally the living, but his work is frequently criticised for not resembling the subjects. Despite the ongoing jokes and memes his paintings generate, Rasta has consistently maintained that his art comes from a place of respect.

A Pattern of Controversy

This is far from the first time Rasta's work has landed him in hot water. Over the years, portraits of figures ranging from musicians to politicians have gone viral for all the wrong reasons, with many South Africans unable to recognise the subjects without a caption. In most cases, Rasta has stood firm, but the Inkosi Yamagcokama painting appears to have struck a deeper nerve, prompting a rare public apology.

Read also

SA theatre icon Sol Rachilo passes away at 91 years

The video, reshared by the Daily Sun, reached a wide audience and reignited the long-running national debate about where artistic tribute ends and disrespect begins.

[Watch Rasta address the Inkosi Yamagcokama portrait controversy](https://web.facebook.com/reel/1041119081959304)

Source: Briefly News