Versatile singer “Roki” born Rockford Josphat has refuted allegations that he bought views for his new hit single, Uchandifunga.
The song was uploaded on YouTube on 1 July and had achieved 425 000 views after four days but the views suddenly shot up to 1.2 million within a few hours, leaving observers amazed.
Uchandifunga became the fastest video to attain one million views by a Zimbabwean artist – beating a previous record held by Winky D who pulled one million views in just under a week with Mugarden.
The video has added just 200 000 more views in the three days after the shock jump, only fuelling suspicions that its 700 000 plus votes came from a bot.
But appearing on ZTN on Friday alongside Passion Java, who signed him to his Passion Java Records, Roki said:
If I get a million views, they say I’ve stolen. If others do it, they are cheered and told they’re good. Why? Is it because God is theirs only?
Java, a flamboyant pastor and self-styled prophet, also maintained that Roki’s views were legitimate. Said Java:
It’s embarrassing that as a country we’ve not had a video with one million views in one day.
Everyone knows my favourite artist is uncle Poptain. If I could buy views, it would probably for him.
I personally don’t have a video with one million views (on YouTube). Don’t you think if I could do it I would have bought some views for myself?
According to ZimLive, for less than US$5 000, you can buy one million views for your video on YouTube if it will make you feel good.