Since the passing of Zahara, many have flooded the late singer’s former boss Sbusiso ‘DJ Sbu’ Leope’s social media accounts with messages of anger regarding the alleged money owed to the star. The entrepreneur has now broken his silence on the matter.
Born Bulelwa Mkutukana in the Eastern Cape, Zahara passed away on Monday, 11 December following liver complications.
Formerly signed under DJ Sbu and politician TK Nciza’s record label TS Records, Zahara claimed in many interviews that the company allegedly owed her millions in unpaid royalties. She also alleged that she was underpaid despite the commercial success of her albums, specifically her 2011 album, Loliwe.
Appearing on Newzroom Afrika, when asked if the allegations of underpayment were true, DJ Sbu stated that it was not. He added:
“We made sure that she owns her own publishing, which she does with Sheer music publishing. Sheer pays her royalties directly into her bank account and they’ve done so ever since we’ve been working together.”
“And also, with our current people who distribute our music catalogue, Universal Music, we also made sure instead of Universal Music paying TS Records, that they would distribute the funds directly to her.”
DJ Sbu also shared that there are documents and contracts refuting the allegations made against him. “I would never do anything to do anybody wrong. The only thing I’ve ever done in the industry is to help other people,” he stated. “I am my own man, I know how to make my own money. I am a hard-worker. The only thing I’ve ever done was to contribute and help her succeed.”
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Also see: Internet users come for DJ Sbu after Zahara’s death
