Cecil Motsepe

Cecil Motsepe

Metro FM DJs have been accused of giving airplay to their own music while sidelining other artists.

House music DJ and the station's music manager Fistas Mixwell allegedly vetoed fellow house muso DJ Fistos' CD from receiving airplay because the latter adopted a stage name similar to his.

But DJ Fistos, real name Bafana Dludla, who was recently introduced to the media, refuses to change his stage name.

His manager Tebogo Manganyi said attempts to give the 25-year-old a break were scuppered when they went to deliver a copy of his promotional CD to the station in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

"When I got there I was told by some people that Fistas Mixwell won't be happy with the name," he said.

"The next day I received a call from someone who said he was representing Fistas.

"He told me that we should change the name because Fistas was not happy at all."

The station's programme manager Segale Mogotsi refused to discuss the matter and referred all questions to SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago who said the aggrieved parties are welcome to lodge a formal complaint.

"They should not create a storm out of a teacup.

" They can elevate their complaint right up to the top management should they feel that they are not getting joy," he said.

Kganyago also dismissed complaints that DJs play and punt their own music.

"There is a music committee which determines which songs get played on shows.

"The committee is overseen by station manager Segale Mogotsi."

But Manganyi, who owns Leciatainment, is adamant that his artist was hard done because the station is lenient towards its DJs.

"If the station can play music produced by its own DJs, why can't they give us an equal chance?," he asked.