Zoocci Coke Dope Discusses Split with Big Star Johnson. South African artist and producer Zoocci Coke Dope has recently spoken about the breakdown of his relationship with Big Star Johnson, sharing significant disappointment over what he perceives as a lack of integrity and respect after years of collaboration.
In a heartfelt post shared online, Zoocci elaborated on the support he provided during Johnson’s early career, which included creating beats and hooks as well as fully producing and refining tracks. He referenced specific contributions that played a vital role in Johnson’s early successes.
“Big Star Johnson, you were a brother to me, man. I cared about your career sometimes even more than you did. I’d make a beat, record a hook, tell you the idea of songs and record your verses, mix & master the records, and we had some great moments because of that,” Zoocci stated.
He highlighted two essential songs given to Johnson: the Hustle theme song and “Pablo.” According to Zoocci, these gestures were made during a pivotal moment just prior to Johnson’s debut album. However, issues arose when Johnson reportedly commented publicly that Zoocci would not feature on the album as a surprise, rather than confronting the existing concerns straightforwardly.
“That Hustle theme song could’ve gone to anyone, I could’ve given ‘Pablo’ to anyone but I gave them to you and right before your debut album you tried to run a PR move on me by saying that I wasnt gonna be on the tracklist because it was a surprise instead of being honest and saying ‘bro people think I can’t make good songs without you’ and I would’ve understood because I used to see the tweets where people said that and they made me feel bad for you and I would’ve even written those hooks for you to sing so you can stand on your own. Which is all I ever wanted for you,” he added.
Zoocci stated that this situation represented a shift, damaging the respect he had for Johnson. He also expressed confusion over Johnson’s recent public comments, especially regarding the use of the term “us” to describe their former relationship.
“I lost all respect for you when you did that. Now, all these years of reflection have led you to this conclusion? Who is ‘us’?
The producer remarked that, like many in the industry, Johnson became entangled in the pressures of fame. Zoocci chose to withdraw rather than engage in confrontation, resulting in a lasting change in their relationship. He stated that there was no hidden conflict or untold story, only a clear choice to distance himself after feeling disrespected.
“Like a lot of artists, you got carried away, and all I did was keep my distance from you, and things were never the same. There’s no mystery, there’s no drama. People mess up relationships with me, and I move away from them, even with the way things are. After all I did for you, you couldn’t be honourable enough to remember and not slander me online,” Zoocci concluded.
Zoocci Coke Dope, recognized for his unique production techniques and contemplative lyrics, has maintained a relatively understated approach to industry conflicts, making this public statement particularly striking.
