DJ Cleo announces Brickz split

DJ Cleo announces Brickz split

MIX MASTER: DJ Cleo on the decks in Northampton on Saturday

OUT: Brickz thought to be on verge of signing for TS Records

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By Showbiz Reporter

SOUTH African music producer DJ Cleo has told New Zimbabwe.com on a tour of the UK that he has severed ties with kwaito star, Brickz.

Cleo produced two hugely successful albums for Brickz – Sweety My Baby and E’stokfeleni. The dreadlocked singer won three SAMA Awards, including Best Kwaito Album in 2008.

DJ Cleo, real name Cleophas Monyepao, said: “Brickz has left Will of Steel (Productions). His contract expired.”

After the birth of his son last September, Brickz named the tot after DJ Cleo with little indication that he was planning a move away from the hit maker.

The producer said Brickz, who has been battling a drug addiction, had a two-album deal.

He added: “There is a rumour that he is joining TS Records. A very strong rumour.”

DJ Cleo insisted that the split, which is causing raptures in the entertainment industry, was amicable.

But the idea of Brickz joining TS Records, which is co-owned by his former protégé-turned-business-rival, Sibusiso ‘DJ Sbu’ Leope, should be hard to stomach.

DJ Cleo and DJ Sbu were the brains behind the kwaito act, Mzekezeke, which saw DJ Sbu going behind a mask to release multi-platinum sellers like Sguqa Ngamadolo and Istorotoro.

When Brown Dash quit TS Records last year and moved to DJ Cleo's Will of Steel Productions, the producer appeared to have pulled one over his rivals. But Brown did not stay long after he clashed with Cleo, he says “because Cleo would not allow me to focus on my own company, Dashline Entertainment. He wanted me to be at his studios at all times.”
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