It is a shame that many South African artists have come forward to detail how they have been cheated by record labels who take the big slice the pie, leaving them with crumbs hence their inability to financially maintain themselves, post fame.
The late Zahara was one of those artists who detailed how some of the songs she created were labelled as someone else’s property when she created them prior to signing the deal.
The latest singer to voice out his pain is Nathi Mankayi, visiting King David’s podcast, Nathi detailed how some of the songs he wrote, recorded and took with to Ghetto Ruff recording label were later registered as theirs even though he never signed as their artist.
Ghetto Ruff is a recording company owned by music mogul Lance Sterhr, he has been accused by artists such as Brenda Fassie’s son Bongani Fassie, Nathi and many others.
Talking to King David, he said:
“I own my first album, but Ghetto Ruff is holding my money. There’s nothing that says the album is theirs, as I never signed with them. I don’t remember even signing something that allows them to use my album for a certain period, not unless they forged my signature.”
“Even today, Lance still receives some of my money.”
Asked if the songs were ever registered in his name, the singer replied saying Lance twisted some songs and claimed them as his, even though he got to him with the songs recorded already.
Acknowledging Lance’s contribution on his first album while marketing him as a brand Nathi shared that he won’t let his hard work be taken away from him.
Asked if he has sought legal intervention on the matter, the Nomvula hitmaker shared that he is busy with that and adding that he will never let the matter go.
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