Emtee Sends Strong Message To Event Organisers Over Poor Sound And Microphone Quality
Emtee Sends Strong Message To Event Organisers Over Poor Sound And Microphone Quality. South African hip-hop heavyweight Emtee has had enough of poorly executed live shows, and he is making sure event organisers and promoters understand what needs to change.
The rapper recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to address an issue that continues to frustrate artists performing at live events: poor sound quality and unreliable microphones. In a post, the Amanzi and Roll Up hitmaker did not hold back, writing: “Event organisers or promoters or whatever y’all call y’all self; PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SOUND, Mic and is on point. NIYASI HLAZA.”
His choice of words carried a little extra weight. The expression “Niyasi hlaza” roughly translates to “you are embarrassing yourselves” or “you are humiliating yourselves,” making it clear that the rapper believes poor technical production reflects badly on the people responsible for putting events together.
The post quickly attracted attention, with fans and industry observers weighing in on his comments. Among the responses was a suggestion from a talent management account that it might be time for the rapper, popularly known as Big Hustler, to start travelling with his own dedicated microphone.
Born Mthembeni Ndevu, Emtee has spent years establishing himself as one of South Africa’s recognisable hip-hop voices. From his breakthrough with Avery and the success of Roll Up to his continued journey as an independent artist under Emtee Records, the rapper has built a catalogue and performance identity that depend on delivering his music with clarity and energy.
However, even the strongest stage presence can be undermined when the technical setup falls short. Poorly balanced sound, faulty microphones and inadequate audio equipment can affect an artist’s delivery while leaving audiences struggling to enjoy performances they have paid to see.
His comments also touch on a broader challenge within South Africa’s live entertainment industry, where sound-related complaints remain a concern at various events. For artists travelling to perform and audiences spending their money on live experiences, proper technical production should be part of the standard, not an afterthought.
Although Emtee did not point fingers at a particular organiser or event, his message serves as a wider call for promoters to take their technical responsibilities seriously. A successful show requires more than securing a popular performer and selling tickets. The sound, microphones and overall stage setup must be equally well prepared.
Whether the industry takes his advice remains to be seen, but Emtee has made one thing clear: if you’re putting together a show, make sure the sound is right. Nobody should have to struggle to hear the artist they came to see.
