Shebeshxt Denied Bail as Legal Troubles Clash With Spotify Streaming Success

Limpopo-based musical artist Shebeshxt is still going to remain in prison all through the holiday season as efforts to reclaim his freedom has been averted by the Polokwane Magistrate court.

The sensational musician was on Wednesday 17 December 2025 arrested and was made to appeared at the court following the news of a road rage incident which stems from an attempted murder charges.

The court in Polokwane has reclined in his application for bail bid, after several days of arguments from both the defendant and the state, Shebeshxt will likely remain in the prison throughout  the holiday season as the bid fell against his favour.

SHEBESHXT DENIED BAIL

The court finds that Shebe failed to prove exceptional circumstances for his release. The matter is postponed to the 18th of February 2026. pic.twitter.com/TbmO5W9MJ6

— Dr MuVenda (@Ndi_Muvenda_) December 17, 2025

Fans and social media users who captured the incident and shared the court room clips of the musician during the court sessions were shocked and in disbelieve following the court bail decisions, many reacted to the ruling by expressing disappointment as the music artist is likely going to spend his Christmas and New Year’s behind bars.

A footage of him performing at Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo caught the social media eyes and many where excited saying they are missing out.

Shebeshxt Performing At The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo

In a viral clip posted by an online User wrote: “𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗛𝗫𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗔𝗜𝗟. The Polokwane Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo has denied bail to Limpopo musician Shebeshxt… As a result, he will remain in custody until his next court appearance on 18 February 2026.”

Even as many justified the court decision on his case, many public opinions has been sharply divided. Some of his supporters has expressed sympathy for him and his family.

The ruling has once again placed the artist at the center of national debate, with his ongoing legal troubles continuing to overshadow his music career.

Yet, in a striking twist, Shebeshxt’s legal woes have collided with a major career milestone.

Despite being behind bars, the lekompo hitmaker has emerged as Spotify’s most streamed South African artist for 2025, an achievement that has stunned both fans and critics.

This milestone has showed the strength of the artist’s fan base, as his music continues to dominate streaming charts across Mzansi even while he remains in custody. His catalogue has reportedly remained in heavy rotation, marking his great influence in the local music scene despite mounting legal challenges.

The news of his streaming success quickly went viral, with many online users expressing disbelief that the artist could reach such heights while incarcerated.

However, the announcement also sparked fresh debate, particularly around how Spotify classified Shebeshxt’s music.

Several fans took issue with the platform reportedly labelling him as a hip hop artist, arguing that his sound is firmly rooted in lekompo, a genre deeply associated with Limpopo’s music culture.

“But also let’s respect each other. He is a lekompo artist, not hip hop,” wrote social media user @marcus_makgoba1.

Others echoed the confusion, with @u_donmakheqa asking, “Hip hop njan bafethu?” while @Simphiwe0077 added, “Is lekompo hip hop now? I’m just curious.”

The contrasting developments — a denied bail application on one hand and record-breaking streaming success on the other — have made Shebeshxt one of the most talked-about figures in South African entertainment this year.

As his case moves toward its next court date in 2026, questions remain over how the legal battle will impact his long-term career. For now, he still remains a polarizing figure, dominating playlists while facing one of the most challenging periods of his life.