South African music star Makhadzi has made serious allegations against her former record label, Open Mic Productions, accusing them of manipulating her music publishing rights and collecting royalties without her knowledge or consent. The award-winning singer took to social media to express her frustration, claiming that her name has been linked to unauthorized agreements and third-party companies.
Makhadzi, whose real name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, rose to fame with chart-topping hits like Kokovha and Murahu. However, behind the glitz of her career lies a deepening dispute with the label that helped launch her into stardom.
“While preparing for my album, I’m making sure that my things move nicely and everything is in order. After my fallout with Open Mic, I never signed a publishing deal with any company,”
said Makhadzi, sharing her concern over the integrity of her intellectual property rights.
Makhadzi Claims Unauthorized Business Dealings
According to Makhadzi, her former management at Open Mic allegedly established a company called Nazo in partnership with Mukima Production, and connected it with Virgin Music Group. These entities, she claims, are now collecting her publishing royalties—without her permission.
“Now I just found out that my old management at Open Mic opened a company called Nazo in partnership with Mukima Production that works with a new company called Virgin Music Group,”
Makhadzi said.
“I found out that the two companies are busy collecting my publishing royalties without my knowledge. I don’t know at this point what you want from me. I am not bothering anyone, I am just doing my thing.”
The singer was adamant that the only authorized agreement she has is with Africori, a pan-African digital distribution company that manages music rights and monetization for a wide array of African artists.
Makhadzi’s manager, Maphuti Mathato, confirmed that her team is actively investigating the situation and is considering legal options if the allegations are proven true.
“If it is true, then it could be seen as fraud,”
Mathato stated, adding that the timing is particularly unfortunate as Makhadzi is preparing to release a new album.
The incident has drawn significant public attention, not only because of Makhadzi’s popularity but also because it raises deeper concerns about artist rights and transparency in the South African music industry.
Open Mic Productions, however, has dismissed the accusations, suggesting that the artist is using the controversy to create publicity for her upcoming album.
“It’s another stunt to promote her album. She’s very good at doing that. We parted ways with her; she must run her label peacefully without accusing,”
said Lionel Jamela, co-founder of Open Mic.
This isn’t the first time tensions between the two parties have surfaced. Makhadzi parted ways with the label in 2023, ending a three-year relationship that produced several best-selling albums and international tours to the UK, Canada, Australia, and Senegal.
While Makhadzi’s collaboration with Open Mic brought her global exposure, it was marred by claims of financial exploitation. At one point, the singer alleged that she “never received a cent” from her music under the label—an accusation Open Mic refuted by releasing documents allegedly proving that over R8 million had been paid to her during their partnership.
The split marked a significant turning point in Makhadzi’s career as she moved to operate independently under her own label. Fans celebrated the move, hoping that the artist would now have greater control over her music and financial affairs.
However, the recent royalty row has rekindled concerns that even artists operating independently may face systemic barriers and backdoor agreements that threaten their creative autonomy.
Makhadzi’s allegations have reignited a national conversation around music rights, contract transparency, and ethical practices within the South African music industry. Many up-and-coming artists have shared similar experiences, suggesting that this may be a widespread issue affecting more than just top-tier performers.
Industry analysts suggest that disputes like this highlight the need for stronger regulatory frameworks, greater artist education, and legal accountability for record labels and publishing houses.
Despite the controversy, Makhadzi remains focused on her upcoming album and is determined not to let the dispute derail her momentum. Her fan base, which continues to grow across Africa and beyond, has expressed overwhelming support on social media.
Whether the matter ends in court or is resolved privately, one thing is clear: Makhadzi is no longer staying silent about the practices she believes have held her back. In taking a stand, she’s not only fighting for her own rights—but possibly paving the way for a more transparent future in the music industry.
Source- Fakaza
