What was geared up to be one of the most exciting weekends for the music industry has ended on a sour note for Pretoria-born rapper Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge, known professionally as A-Reece after he stormed off the Homecoming Africa stage mid-performance.
Held A Reece’s hometown, Homecoming Africa is a festival with a rich history as it was established in 2016 as a Pan-African effort to promote and celebrate the diversity that exists within the continent. ” Leveraging off the support around the Homecoming Picnic, the popular event was rebranded into Homecoming Africa. HCA is a celebration of African music, culture and lifestyle as well as the building of a cultural bridge between international artists and local support bases,” their website explains.
At this year’s edition, all seemed to be going according to plan, until the ‘Paradise’ rapper was seen storming off the stage before his time was up., for reasons yet to be revealed.
So Loatinova Pounds and 25K were on the Main stage but A-Reece was on the 2nd stage 🤔 pic.twitter.com/WLRs94V5tO
— LE GUDZUMELA 🇿🇦 🇨🇩 (@lepara_10) October 6, 2024
It is of some internet user’s opinion that A-Reece felt disrespected by the event’s organisers for placing him on the second stage, as opposed to the main stage, considering the event is held in his hometown and the fact that he is considered an A-lister. Furthermore, users highlighted the fact that smaller artists such as 25K and Venom were on the main stage.
Homecoming Africa should be ashamed of themselves for disrespecting A-Reece like that in his own city… Putting him on the second stage at a such big event is really fucked up.. It’s crazy how everybody be disrespecting A-Reece lately… But we won’t let that happen, never! 💔
— Bricor (@BricorOuttaHere) October 6, 2024
Although some users agree with this sentiment, others have come to condemn the rapper’s actions, highlighting the fact that he was aware of the logistics well in advance, and if he had an issue, he had more than enough time to alert the event organisers and find an amicable way forward.
that nigga knew which stage he’d be on months in advance. he chose to go to the show and do one song then leave 😂 I’m sorry but *if* this was why he walked off stage, he’s just being a fucking child https://t.co/GWjzUe2MEh
— cloud atrium (@0bakeng_) October 6, 2024
While the public is split in two about this situation, both sides are calling for an explanation from the event organisers. The people want to know what led to this, as a performance they were looking forward to for a long time was cut short.
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