Amapiano artist Scotts Maphuma has publicly apologised to his fans after facing intense criticism and threats of cancel culture. The singer, known for hits like *Shayi’Moto*, addressed the controversy during an Instagram Live session with renowned music producer DJ Maphorisa.
For several months, Maphuma has been under fire for what many fans perceived as a dismissive and arrogant attitude. Videos circulating on social media, especially TikTok, show the singer ignoring fans who approach him for photos or autographs. In some clips, he appears to brush off requests by claiming he’s running late for gigs or not in the mood to interact.
The backlash escalated when fans began calling for him to be “cancelled,” accusing him of being ungrateful and disrespectful. DJ Maphorisa confronted Maphuma during a joint Instagram Live session, informing him of the growing public discontent.
Responding to the criticism, Maphuma addressed his followers directly. “To those who are angry with me, I’m sorry. It’s a misunderstanding,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense for Scotts to have an attitude. Peace, maGents.” Despite the apology, many fans questioned the sincerity of his words, with social media reactions indicating skepticism about his tone and attitude.
Twitter (now known as X) was flooded with comments from unimpressed fans. One user, @Tezzy\_tewdo, asked, “You guys call this an apology?” while another, @GokuKnocks, stated, “He still stinks of a bad attitude, even here. He is not sincere at all.”
The controversy also brought to light Maphuma’s previous social media rants where he expressed frustration with fame. He lamented the loss of privacy and criticized the expectation to always be available for fans. In one of his earlier Instagram posts, he said, “Why should I always understand that these people are my fans? You tell a person you’re not in the mood for pictures, suddenly you’re rude. Cancel me, South Africa, maybe I’ll be free.”
In an interview with podcast host L-Tido, Maphuma added fuel to the fire by stating that nobody made him famous, implying that he owed nothing to the public. These remarks further alienated fans and sparked debate about celebrity accountability.
In response to the mounting criticism, Maphuma also turned to spirituality, penning a heartfelt prayer to God. He admitted feeling overwhelmed by the negative attention and expressed hope for peace amid the cancel culture storm.
The situation has sparked a broader conversation in South Africa about how celebrities handle fame and their relationship with fans. While some believe Maphuma is simply misunderstood, others argue that his attitude reflects a lack of gratitude.
As the backlash continues, it remains to be seen whether Maphuma’s apology will be enough to win back the public’s favor—or if it’s too little, too late.