South Africans have been talking about Biri Marung, the hit song by 23-year-old amapiano musician Tebogo G Mashego, but this time it’s not because of the music.
DJ Karri comes to the rescue
Instead, Tebogo has been trending after posting emotional videos from Nigeria, where he says his trip for music gigs turned into a nightmare.
The young artist explained that he went to Nigeria on 4 September 2025 for a tour that was supposed to run until 30 December 2025.
But he quickly regretted the decision, accusing his team of mistreating him and failing to pay him.
In one video, a crying Tebogo said:
“I asked them to buy me a ticket so that I return home and the money for the gigs they will keep. Now they said there’s no way I can go because they signed a contract.”
He went on to say he would “rather die than not say anything,” warning that he was stranded and struggling.
After his videos went viral, well-known DJ Karri stepped in.
In a series of Facebook updates, Karri assured fans that Tebogo was safe and would soon return home. At first, he said he couldn’t get hold of him, but later confirmed they had spoken by phone.
“Public alert! I managed to get hold of him, we spoke on the phone call and he’s saying he’s safe and he’s coming back home soon,” Karri posted.
He later thanked friends and industry colleagues Ladgag (Mr Moloto) and Mapiano (Nqobile Mahlangu) from Soshanguve for helping arrange Tebogo’s return flight.
Biri Marung on how he ended up stuck in Nigeria
Tebogo said he initially ignored advice from friends who warned him not to go to Nigeria for the gigs. He admitted in his posts:
“My friends told me, even I said so myself, that I don’t want to come here. I can’t be here for the whole month. I’m not okay, even now they left me, I’m alone.”
The artist also revealed that he has not been paid for his breakout song Biri Marung, which made him a household name.
“I’m still waiting for Biri Marung money,” he said in frustration.
He claimed that people owe him money and suggested that asking for it has been seen as disrespectful. He also mentioned being left alone in Nigeria without support.
For now, relief has come after DJ Karri and others stepped in to assist him. Tebogo is expected to return home soon, cutting his Nigerian tour short.