Mud House Label boss Liso Simubali has levelled explosive allegations against prominent Metro FM music compiler Nathi Mthengeni, popularly known as DJ Nutty, accusing him of corruption, gatekeeping, and demanding payola from independent artists.

Speaking out during a recent appearance on the Music Pulse podcast, Simubali pulled back the curtain on what he describes as a toxic, financial barrier to entry within the South African broadcasting space.

He claimed that record labels and upcoming artists are routinely pressured to pay exorbitant amounts—sometimes as high as R50,000—just to secure radio airplay.

“How can artists who come from poverty afford that? They are talented and deserve the platform like anyone else,” Simubali told MDN News.

“Most of these kids don’t even have R50,000 to pay for their songs to be played on the radio. Imagine 50 artists paying R50,000 each. That’s how much money we’re talking about. We need to report corruption.”

According to Simubali, a culture of fear keeps many industry players quiet.

He alleged that victimized artists and labels rarely speak out publicly because they fear being implicated as accessories to the crime, noting bluntly that “payola is a crime.”

The feud appears to be rooted in a professional relationship that went sour. Simubali stated that he and Mthengeni used to be on cordial terms, to the point where Simubali considered offering him an A&R position at Mud House Label when Mthengeni was contemplating an exit from Metro FM.

However, Simubali claims the dynamic shifted dramatically when Mthengeni allegedly began poaching talent directly from his stable.

“We had a good relationship until I brought him to try and work at the label, and he stole the artists and signed them under Tbo Touch’s label,” Simubali alleged.

“MSA is now known as Sounds of Rhythm. They also took a female artist who tried to pin a rape charge on me. A lot is happening, and it is dirty.”

Simubali, who was born in Zambia, further claimed that his detractors have repeatedly weaponized his nationality in an attempt to intimidate him into silence.

“I have been arrested about seven times and released because there was nothing on me. I have lived in South Africa since 1999, on and off, and permanently resided in 2001 after purchasing a home. They tried to use my citizenship to shut me up, but I am in the country lawfully.”

Despite the threat of industry backlash, the Mud House executive insists he is done staying quiet.

Having operated Mud House Music Records since 2014—following a prior stint at South West Records where he crossed paths with prominent acts like Emtee, AB Crazy, Maraza, and Cleo Ice Queen—Simubali insists his focus is now solely on protecting the next generation.

“I’m not scared of anybody. I’ve kept quiet for too long, and I’m done protecting people who are allegedly using their positions to control the industry,” he said. “These young artists deserve a fair chance. Radio should be about the music and the talent, not who has money or who you know.”

Efforts to reach Nathi “DJ Nutty” Mthengeni for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication, and Metro FM has yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.

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