TxC's BET Award win: Thakgi Ledwaba's shocking accusation of industry planting

"Piano Pulse" podcast co-host Thakgi Ledwaba has raised some eyebrows after accusing  Amapiano duo Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke, professionally known as TxC, of being industry plants. 

This comes after Reid and Hefke won a BET Award for Best New International Act in June. They made history by being the first DJ duo ever to be recognised in this category at the American awards show.

When asked by co-host Khanyi Mars if he thinks Reid and Hefke are “industry plants”, Ledwaba responded with a yes.

The term “industry plant” is often used to describe an artist who achieves success with significant behind-the-scenes support from either a major label or industry connections, often while presenting themselves as independently successful.

He questioned how they won the award before more established artists, citing that pioneers who have been making Amapiano hits have not been recognised internationally

“How is it that TxC won a BET award before Kabza De Small? How is it that they won a BET before Uncle Waffles? That is just not possible for Best New International Act. Whereas we know that Dlala Thukzin has done more than they do outside of the country,” said Ledwaba.

He further expressed his doubts about their deserving the award, suggesting that there might be external factors at play, such as a record label or industry heavyweights pushing their music to global ears.

Ledwaba drew comparisons to other South African artists, mentioning Uncle Waffles and Tyla, implying that their success might be due to industry support rather than organic talent. 

“I don’t think it was well deserved. I feel like it was pushed by whoever they are assigned to, whoever the distributor is at the moment. 

“I feel that now people are just looking at South Africa and taking these female artists, making them superstars because they believe they’re performers and can DJ. I’m looking at Uncle Waffles, I’m looking at what they did with Tyla, and now TxC is just next in line,” he said.

Ledwaba was puzzled by the duo’s nomination, adding that many South Africans are unfamiliar with their music and that they lack street credibility.

He also stated that the duo does not seem to have a significant presence in the music scene, as they have never headlined an event, are not frequently discussed, and their songs are not widely known or sung along to, even among young fans.