Veteran publicist and talent manager DJ Slahver, who has over 18 years of experience in the entertainment industry, recently opened up about the challenges he faces when working with artists, especially those from different countries. In an interview with Nairobi News, Slahver shared a recent incident where he lost Ksh 200,000 due to a deal gone wrong with a well-known Tanzanian musician.
Slahver explained that he had arranged all the logistics for the artist’s visit to Kenya earlier this year, including flights, accommodation, and local transportation. However, things took a turn for the worse when the artist failed to honor their agreement. Despite signing a contract, the musician changed the terms upon arrival, accusing Slahver of trying to rob him and leaving him with unpaid bills totaling over Ksh 200,000.
This wasn’t the first time Slahver faced such an issue. He also recounted a similar experience with another Tanzanian artist, a female musician, who failed to fulfill her obligations after taking a deposit for a performance in Nairobi. She did not show up for the event, and despite receiving $500 as part of their deal, she refused to refund the deposit or acknowledge the sponsors as agreed.
Slahver’s experiences highlight the difficulties talent managers often face in the entertainment industry, particularly when working with international artists who may not honor their agreements