Jumbo responds to backing vocalist, Nqobile Njapha after payment dispute goes viral

A payment dispute between gospel singer Lwando “Jumbo” Nyangiwe and backing vocalist Nqobile Njapha has sparked debate on social media after screenshots of their private messages were shared publicly on Facebook.

The controversy began when Njapha posted text messages allegedly exchanged between her and Nyangiwe, claiming she had been trying for weeks to get paid for work she did during the singer’s February live recording at the Playhouse Theatre.

The screenshots quickly circulated online, with fans expressing shock and disappointment over the tone of the conversation and the ongoing payment dispute.

Backing vocalist shares screenshots of text messages

According to the messages shared by Njapha, she contacted Nyangiwe several times requesting payment for her work as a backing vocalist.

In one message, Njapha tells the singer she has been struggling to reach him regarding the outstanding payment and Nyangiwe replied bluntly, saying: “I know and I'm ignoring you.”

The conversation then became tense, with Nyangiwe telling her to “behave” and warning her not to “destroy other people in the process.”

At one point in the exchange, Nyangiwe asked Njapha how much he owed her.

Njapha responded politely, saying that the standard fee for the job was R10,000.

The singer appeared surprised and replied that he could not afford to pay R160,000 for 16 backing vocalists.

Njapha then clarified that she was speaking only for herself and not for the entire group.

However, Nyangiwe responded by saying he would not be paying because the live recording event had been funded from his own pocket.

The messages also show the singer accusing Njapha of being “too forward” for asking about the payment and telling her she was getting on his nerves.

Njapha says she was promised full payment

Speaking to the publication, Njapha said she was personally invited by Nyangiwe to perform as a backing vocalist during his live recording earlier this year.

The recording took place in February at the Playhouse Theatre, a well-known venue that regularly hosts concerts, theatre productions and live recordings.

Njapha explained that while she initially received R4,000, the rest of the agreed payment was supposed to follow later.

“He did give me R4,000 and he promised to give me the balance later. I've been waiting since but there's no communication and when I ask him politely he disrespects me,” she said.

She also defended her request for the full amount, saying R10,000 is a reasonable fee considering the costs involved.

According to Njapha, the singers were not paid for rehearsals and had to cover their own expenses.

“There were no rehearsal fees and I used my own transport, makeup and clothes,” she explained.

Jumbo initially denies knowing the singer

When approached for comment, Nyangiwe initially appeared confused about the allegations.

He first claimed he did not know who Njapha was.

“Who’s that? What is she talking about because I don’t understand,” he said.

However, after further questioning, the singer appeared to recognise her but declined to address the issue in detail.

“Oh, that one. Tell her I don’t have a comment,” he said.

Nyangiwe had not publicly responded to the allegations on his social media platforms at the time of publication.

Fans react with shock and disappointment

The leaked messages have triggered strong reactions online, particularly among gospel music fans who follow Nyangiwe.

Many social media users expressed disappointment over the alleged treatment of a backing vocalist, arguing that supporting singers are often overlooked in the music industry despite playing a key role in live performances.

Others urged both parties to resolve the issue privately and professionally.

Some commenters also questioned the broader issue of fair pay for session musicians and backing vocalists, saying the incident highlights ongoing challenges within the music industry.

Payment disputes in the music industry

Payment disagreements between artists and supporting performers are not uncommon in the music industry.

Backing vocalists, instrumentalists and other session performers often work on short-term contracts, and disagreements over fees can arise when expectations are not clearly documented.

Industry experts say transparent agreements and written contracts can help prevent such disputes, especially for live recordings, concerts and touring performances.

For now, the dispute between Nyangiwe and Njapha continues to unfold online, with fans closely watching how the situation will be resolved.