Makhadzi's messy music divorce
Musician Makhadzi and her record label, Open Mic Productions, are headed for a messy divorce.
NEWS
Musician Makhadzi and her record label, Open Mic Productions, are headed for a messy divorce.
Both parties are singing different tunes. The artist, whose given name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, says her contract with the label ended in March, while the label is adamant that their relationship continues as she signed an automatic-renewal contract.
The Matorokisi hitmaker told City Press this week that she was surprised by Open Mic’s insistence that she was still contracted to the label when she signed a three-year contract, which had expired in March. She claimed she never had a copy of the contract.
“Even today as I speak, I don’t have a copy of my contract with Open Mic. Why are they hiding it? I don’t know why they kept it from me for three years.
Said Makhadzi:
My contract has ended. I know it was a three-year contract and I chose to leave rather than to make noise
The musician, who now owns her own record label, Makhadzi Entertainment, also claimed that Open Mic owed her money.
“It is sad because they are claiming from me, whereas they have never paid me even a cent for my [record] sales. I released three full albums plus one EP. I also did collaborations with other artists from their side.
“The only money I got was from the gigs, but I don’t even have proof of how much they were charging,” said an emotional Makhadzi.
She added that she was going through a lot and was aware that the record label was trying to frustrate her, but she would try to stay calm and strong.
Makhadzi took to her social media platforms this week to tell her fans and promoters that they should no longer book her via Open Mic because she would not show up: “They wanted me to go to Zambia [to perform] and I do not want to honour any gigs from Open Mic any more because if I do, it’s like I am agreeing to the auto-renewal.”
READ: Makhadzi goes solo and opens her own record label
In a renewal of the management agreement sent to Makhadzi by Open Mic’s managing director, Nkateko Maluleke, which City Press has seen, the record label stated that her contract would be extended for another three years.
“We as Open Mic Productions are pleased to inform you that we are hereby renewing or extending the contract for an additional period of three years with effect from March 9 2023 in terms of the management agreement entered into between yourself and Open Mic Productions,” reads the letter.
Later, in a recorded conversation between Makhadzi and Maluleke, which City Press has heard, the musician asked him about the copy of her contract.
To which Maluleke replied: “When you signed the contract, I was there. I don’t think we should be having this conversation if you want to talk contract. Please talk to Molau [Rammala] and [Lionel] Jamela [the co-owners of Open Mic]. I asked for it and I don’t have it. I work for Open Mic, not the artists.”
READ: Makhadzi drops the mic on open mic
On Friday, Makhadzi released a new single titled Niazwifha under her own record label, but it has since been taken down by YouTube because of a copyright claim made by Open Mic.
Maluleke declined to comment on the dispute with Makhadzi.
“We will not be commenting on this issue as we are contractually bound by confidentiality provisions in the agreement entered into with our artist Makhadzi.”
