Cape Town – Fans have been curious about what inspired rapper Emtee’s dramatic new look, and according to the award-winning artist, the decision to part ways with his signature dreadlocks was not entirely voluntary.
In a video currently circulating on X, Emtee addressed the change during an Instagram Live session, revealing why he recently swapped his long dreadlocks for a fresh fade haircut.
“I’m going to cut them off. Nicole Kendall Chinsamy took out four of my dreadlocks from my head. That’s why I’m wearing a hat,” he told fans.
The revelation comes shortly after the rapper debuted his new hairstyle on social media. Photos and videos shared by his barber quickly generated discussion online, with many fans praising his updated appearance.
However, Emtee had already explained the haircut in a recent statement posted on Instagram, where he described it as a symbol of personal growth and a fresh start.
“This past weekend I made a personal decision to embrace change and begin a new chapter by getting a fresh haircut,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
The rapper added that while the change may appear simple, it represented “growth, renewal, and a positive outlook for the journey ahead”.
While many initially viewed the haircut as a style choice, his latest comments have added another dimension to the story.
Emtee, whose real name is Mthembeni Ndevu, has publicly spoken about difficulties in his relationship with Nicole Kendall Chinsamy for several years.
EVERYTIME I’d get a seizure, she’d just walk past me, get her phone, take pictures of me while I’m unconscious and send all her boyfriends
— HUSTLE (@emteerecords) June 7, 2026
Their relationship first came under public scrutiny in 2020 when the rapper accused his then-wife of physically abusing him. At the time, he alleged that he had been assaulted over a number of years and claimed that members of Chinsamy’s family had also threatened him.
“Both mother and daughter took turns, choking me, tryna suffocate me. Now the weightlifting brother is threatening to kill me,” Emtee wrote at the time.
Chinsamy strongly denied the allegations, issuing a statement in which she described the claims as false and accused the rapper of attempting to damage her reputation.
“I would like to address the false accusations made against me by Mthembeni Ndevu. I will no longer protect someone who is trying to destroy my life by making false accusations about me. This is a blatant attempt to tarnish my name and my family’s name. The truth as to the core reason for the public fallout will be revealed,” she said.
The pair’s public fallout has continued over the years, with both sides making allegations against each other.
In another post shared on X, Emtee claimed that Chinsamy failed to support him during medical emergencies.
Emtee says his wife pulled out four of his dreadlocks during an altercation, which is why he decided to cut them off. pic.twitter.com/0rBBIjGaQP
— Lavish Living (@busiwe_bubu) June 7, 2026
“EVERY TIME I’d get a seizure, she’d just walk past me, get her phone, take pictures of me while I’m unconscious and send all her boyfriends,” he wrote.
More recently, the “We Up” hitmaker shared a lengthy statement on social media in which he alleged that he had endured years of abuse during the relationship.
In the statement, he claimed he had been physically assaulted on multiple occasions and said he still carried scars from the experience.
“People always resort to ‘he doesn’t bathe’ to boost their egos. I have two bathrooms. How am I not bathing? Maybe I’m just ugly, said the mother of my kids.
“I know you’re tired of me posting statements. Sadly, this is serious beyond measure. I get beaten up by Nicole Kendall Chinsamy multiple times, and I know y’all will laugh at me and call me all the names, but it’s cool; God got me.
“She threw away my bible cos she’s satanic. Now she wants me killed cos I caught her.”
Emtee also appealed for help, stressing that he was not seeking financial assistance.
“I have scars from this girl for years,” he wrote.
Neither Chinsamy nor her representatives have publicly responded to Emtee’s latest allegations.
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Picture: Instagram/ Emtee
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
