Gospel star Sechaba Padi shocked thousands of mourners at Lundi Tyamara's memorial service yesterday at the Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, when he said the abuse musicians were subjected to from industry bosses led artists to resort to drugs and alcohol.

Padi said he was talking for Tyamara because "Lundi can't talk for himself".

"When we arrive at these [music] companies, they abuse us and take our money and then go around ruining our names.

"They say we smoke drugs and drink [alcohol]. Yes we do that because we are frustrated," Padi said to loud cheers.

The multi-award winning star also used the occasion to lash out at fellow artists, saying the music industry was full of hatred.

"Since Vuyo Mokoena died how many of you went to visit his wife? How many of you visited Oleseng's wife? You don't even know where she lives."

Oleseng Shuping, also a gospel artist, died in hospital after a long illness in 2010.

"You only think about us when we are dead, you can't even take us to expensive hospitals when we're sick.

"We gospel artists don't love each other. Kwaito artists are much better than us. . . where were you when Lundi was in hospital? Do you even know which hospital he was in?"

Padi said Tyamara was a well loved star who filled live music venues and blessed fans but had nothing to eat at home.

"Lundi would attend events and make everyone cry and then when he is done he would go home and cry himself because there was no food in the fridge," added Padi, who lived as a vagrant in Joburg before shooting to fame as gospel singer.