Rapper and entrepreneur Money Mike SA is set to bring a deeply personal and revealing side of his story to Podcast and Chill Network’s All The Smoke, hosted by rapper Tshego and Luthando “BU” Mthembu, in an episode dropping on Friday, 14 August at 20:00.
Known for his music, entrepreneurial ventures, and polished yet street public image, Money Mike SA, born Ibrahim Abdul Fakhouri, sits down with Tshego and BU for a conversation that goes far beyond the headlines. The rapper opens up about the experiences that shaped him, including the loss of his parents, his journey into the nightclub business, the entrepreneurial decisions that helped build his lifestyle and the reality behind the image of success and affluence that has followed him.
For Money Mike SA, the appearance is also an opportunity to address a controversy that has placed his name at the centre of a heated public conversation.
The rapper directly addresses allegations and statements made publicly by Amapiano artist Tebogo G Mashego, giving his version of events and responding to what he believes are misconceptions about his character, business interests and lifestyle. He does not shy away from the difficult questions and uses the platform to put his side of the story on record.
“I went on there to clear my name,” Money Mike SA says of the decision to appear on All The Smoke.
“There are a lot of misconceptions around my image and people have created a picture of me without knowing my journey or the things I have had to go through to get here.”
The appearance comes after Money Mike SA’s management previously rejected allegations linking the rapper to serious criminal activity, including claims of human trafficking, describing them as false, malicious and defamatory. His management has maintained that Money Mike SA had never met Mashego and had no personal or professional relationship with him.
Rather than allowing the controversy to define him, Money Mike SA uses the All The Smoke interview to return the conversation to the man behind the headlines. He speaks candidly about family, business, music and how his experiences influenced his determination to build something of his own.
His transition into the nightclub and entertainment business also forms part of the conversation, offering insight into the commercial world that sits alongside his music career. His public image, fashion, international movements and high-end lifestyle have often attracted attention, but Money Mike SA says there is a much more complicated story behind the visible success.
The rapper also makes it clear that his ambitions extend beyond appearances. He has been steadily developing his identity as an artist and entrepreneur, building the Yalla Habibi Cartel brand while pursuing a music career that draws from his African and Arabian heritage.
Musically, 2026 has been a significant year for Money Mike SA. His six-track EP, The Caine Effect: Budra, was released in February and features “The Fallen Angel of Death”, “Memories”, “Budra”, “Yalla Habibi Cartel”, “Smoke” and “Numb”.
The project has been followed by a run of singles, including “ON GAWD”, which was released in May after being recorded in Beirut and produced by Nagib and Ziggy. Money Mike SA described the song as a reflection of his personal journey and growth. He has subsequently released “MA SHIFTO SHI”, “AKBAR MAFIA” and “MADE OFF THE STREETS”, with the latter released in July.
His recent music has also been accompanied by an expanding commercial profile. In May, Money Mike SA was announced as a True Religion brand ambassador, a partnership he described as recognition of the consistency and work he had put into his career.
His appearance on All The Smoke therefore arrives at a pivotal moment: an artist balancing music, entrepreneurship, public scrutiny and the expectations that come with building a highly visible personal brand.
All The Smoke has established itself as one of Podcast and Chill Network’s platforms for candid conversations around music, culture, relationships, business and the realities of life in the public eye. The show is hosted by Tshego and BU and airs on Fridays at 20:00.
For Money Mike SA, however, Friday’s episode is about more than publicity.
It is about taking back control of his narrative.
“I wanted people to hear from me directly,” he says. “I have worked too hard to allow misconceptions about who I am to become my story.” With personal revelations, career insights and a highly anticipated response to the controversy surrounding his name, Money Mike SA’s All The Smoke appearance promises to be one of the show’s most talked-about conversations yet
