Zakes Bantwini Calls on DJs to Drop AI Vocals and Give Real Artists a Chance
- Zakes Bantwini took to X on Sunday, 4 October 2026, urging producers to stop relying on AI-generated vocals in their music
- His post comes amid growing outrage after a database revealed that South African artists' music was used to train AI models without consent
- Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa top the list of affected SA artists, and Mzansi is divided over whether AI vocals are a problem or the future
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Zakes Bantwini has had enough of artificial intelligence taking over the mic. The award-winning South African musician and producer went to X on Sunday, 4 October 2026, calling on DJs and producers to pull back on AI-generated vocals and instead offer real singers the platform they deserve.
"DJs/producers, siyacela 🙏 Tone down the AI vocals. Ngeke phela, Sbali. The world is full of real voices waiting for a moment; please give them the mic 🎤," he wrote.
See the post below:
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SA artists caught in the AI net
The post landed at a particularly sensitive moment in the local music industry. A database published by The Atlantic revealed which artists' music had been used to train AI models Suno and Udio — tools that generate new songs at the click of a button. The disclosure has left many musicians furious, particularly because their recordings were used without their knowledge or consent.
South African artists feature prominently on the list. According to a cybersecurity audit of AI training data, Kabza De Small tops the local rankings, with DJ Maphorisa close behind. Spirit Praise appears third, while Nasty C leads among South African hip-hop acts. Former Kaya FM presenter and current Podcast and Chill co-host Sol Phenduka made the list and weighed in.
Mzansi weighs in
Zakes Bantwini's appeal sparked a lively conversation, with fans and fellow industry figures sharing sharply contrasting views.
@MzithoMpila spotted the pattern immediately:
"When I hear a song starting with 'mhmmmmm', I just know it's AI. 🤦🏾♂️"
DJ @iamdjnoah sympathised with producers, writing:
"Ey bhuti you can say that again but also working with vocalists can be a mission sometimes. I think that's partly why some producers are turning to AI vocals."
@Futbal_Thoughts framed it as a practical problem:
"Imagine you're a producer, you have a song, lyrics, etc. You just need a vocalist. DM a vocalist, and they don't get back to you......now what??"
Not everyone agreed with Zakes Bantwini's stance. @monde_XI argued that resistance is futile:
"DJs, especially South African ones, should double down and use even more AI and should not feel ashamed. AI is the future, and if we master it, we will be part of the future. It's like telling people not to use word processors in the 90s because typists will lose their jobs."
@TmadTi stood firmly in Bantwini's corner:
"Couldn't agree more. In fact, I banned AI music in my house between my partner and my 2 sons. AI music makes me sick."
@Criticalfbi pointed to a broader trend swallowing creative industries:
"Unfortunately, it's only the beginning. AI is wiping out all jobs. Graphic designers can tell you how demand dropped drastically. No one asks anyone to design a logo anymore. I have found myself so many times singing along to AI music unaware 🥲"
@_Swing_FX_ pushed back on the sympathy for aspiring vocalists:
"Like y'all were giving them the mic before AI vocals was a thing. I know a lot of artists who tried and tried but were never given a chance, even though they were more talented than the famous ones who pay their way into the industry one way or another. 😏"
Source: Getty Images
Zakes Bantwini's relationship history stuns SA
In a previous article, Briefly News reported that an X user went down a rabbit hole on Zakes Bantwini and unearthed shocking details about his personal life.
Mzansi reacted after learning that Nandi Mngoma is a stepmother to a 31-year-old and that Zakes shares children with four different women.
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Source: Briefly News
