“I Can Never Work With Him Again” — Ykee Benda Speaks On Dre Carli Fallout
Ykee Benda has made it clear that although he forgave former Mpaka Records signee Dre Carli, he will never work with him again.
The singer opened up about their fallout during a TikTok podcast interview after hosts asked whether he would welcome Dre Carli back if he ever sought another chance.
He admitted that he forgave Dre long ago, but said trust and business are completely different matters.
I can never work with Dre Carli again. Forgiving him is possible, but working with him again is never. I forgave Dre even before he asked for forgiveness. But what separates a man from a coward is how you handle issues.
Part of Ykee’s frustration appears to stem from remarks Dre Carli allegedly made after leaving the label.
According to the Mpaka Records boss, the former signee disrespected the label by publicly downplaying the support he received, especially during difficult periods like the COVID-19 lockdown.
How do you go to an interview, cross-legged, and say there was no money in the label, that you were the one making the money? What money were you making when we were in COVID?
While reflecting on the fallout, Ykee shared a Luganda proverb to explain why people should avoid destroying relationships when parting ways.
Never bite the hand that once fed you because ‘joova toyombye, jotera okudda,’ meaning if you leave somewhere without quarrelling, you can one day go back.
He also touched on the backlash surrounding Dre Carli’s departure from Mpaka Records, claiming several bloggers and entertainment personalities attacked him at the time.
Among the people he mentioned was Sheila Gashumba, whom he trusted enough to listen to songs before release.
She was one of the people I always called to come and listen to songs before releasing them.
The conversation later turned to contracts and professionalism in the music business, with Ykee insisting that artistes should always respect agreements.
Anyone who has ever done business knows that contracts are business. You cannot go against them if you are professional.
Although Ykee forgave Dre Carli, his latest remarks make it clear that he no longer sees a future for them as business partners.
