Laura Maposa
ZIM dancehall chanter Poptain has revealed he is battling mental health issues and is seeking help to deal with the challenges.
He has apologised to his fans for his X-rated outburst, which was recorded, in which he used derogatory words to attack fellow musician Young Gemini.
Poptain told H-Metro he has been tested so much this year that he even contemplated quitting music.
Voice recordings of a heated argument between the chanter and Young Gemini have been leaked.
The chanter is heard insulting and shaming the rapper in their private conversation.
Poptain told H-Metro he was battling a bigger challenge — depression.
“I am currently going through depression and I have been seeing a therapist. My mental health has really been tested this year so much that l felt like quitting music.
“I would like to apologise to my fans for using such foul language in that voice note but she had that coming. It was definitely Satan at work because my fellow artists know l don’t talk like that.
“It’s not my proudest moment, but I feel like she stepped over the line.”
He explained what led to that heated exchange.
“What happened was that the show’s promoters asked me to introduce all the artists because I was the biggest brand there, which I did.
“After the show, this young girl sends me a voice note insulting me and saying a whole bunch of stuff.
“Because I already had stuff going on with me l lashed out and said words that l can’t even repeat.
“I’m so embarrassed that I said all those awful words because my kids, fans, and family are going to hear that.
“However l stopped responding to her when she started insulting my wife and my car,” he said.
He added:
“I went to the show and promoters asked me to engage with the crowd and maintain peace and she felt like l was disrespecting her.
“I introduced everyone, as they had asked me, honestly, I don’t see my problem.
“This is the same thing that happened with Anita, I uplifted her and made her who she was, and the only mistake we made was to lie that we were dating, which was later used against me.
“I’m not here to vindicate myself, I’ve been through this situation, but I’m a fighter. I’ll always stay strong.
“The chanter said he is tired of the negative criticism.
“Each time I try to uplift the girl child, she bites me back, this has been something that has been weighing down on me for a long time.
“People react to my songs and when I sue them or take action I am taken as the bad person, when I don’t get paid, I am the guy who is criticised for coming out and saying that I was not paid.
“I am going to take legal action, I know what it does to an artist, I could sue her for data protection. To my fans I’m sorry.”