Zoocci Coke Dope Opens Up About Fallout With Big Star Johnson. South African producer and artist Zoocci Coke Dope has publicly addressed his fractured relationship with fellow musician Big Star Johnson, revealing deep disappointment over what he describes as a lack of honesty and respect after years of close collaboration.
In a candid statement shared online, Zoocci detailed the extent of his support for Johnson’s early career, from crafting beats and hooks to fully producing and polishing tracks together. He highlighted specific contributions that helped shape Johnson’s breakthrough moments.
“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 wrote.
He pointed to two key tracks given exclusively to Johnson: the Hustle theme song and “Pablo.” According to Zoocci, these gestures came at a critical time just before Johnson’s debut album. However, tensions arose when Johnson allegedly made a public comment suggesting Zoocci would not appear on the project as a surprise, rather than addressing underlying concerns directly.
“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,” the statement continued.
Zoocci expressed that this incident marked a turning point, eroding the respect he once held. He questioned the recent reflections Johnson has shared publicly, particularly the use of “us” in reference to their past dynamic.
“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 noted that, like many artists, Johnson became caught up in the industry’s momentum. Zoocci chose to distance himself rather than engage in conflict, leading to a permanent shift in their bond. He emphasised that there was no hidden drama or mystery, only a straightforward decision to step away 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, known for his distinctive production style and introspective lyrics, has maintained a relatively low-profile approach to industry disputes in the past, making this open letter particularly notable.
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