South African musician and producer Master KG, renowned for his global hit ‘Jerusalema,’ is again at the centre of a legal dispute concerning the song’s authorship and royalties.
The South African reported that the Pretoria High Court has scheduled a trial to address these allegations from November 17 to 28, 2025.
The controversy began in 2022 when musicians Charmza the DJ and Biblos claimed they were the original creators of ‘Jerusalema.’
According to African Insider, they allege that during a studio session in 2019, Charmza composed the instrumental, while vocalist Nomcebo Zikode wrote and performed the lyrics.
Master KG wasn’t reportedly present during this session but later released the track under his name without securing proper rights or clearances from the original creators.
In response, Master KG and his record label, Open Mic Productions, have consistently denied these allegations, labelling them as “defamatory and vexatious.”
Master KG maintains that he produced ‘Jerusalema’ weeks before the disputed studio session and has dismissed the claims as baseless.
The legal proceedings have faced delays, with Charmza’s legal team accusing the defendants of employing stalling tactics to prolong the case.
Attorney Stephen Hollis, representing Charmza, stated that the defence attempted various strategies to delay the matter, possibly aiming to exhaust the plaintiffs’ resources and compel them to withdraw.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Hollis said his firm has taken on the case pro bono, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their pursuit of justice.
Adding complexity to the situation, Nomcebo Zikode, the vocalist on ‘Jerusalema,’ also engaged in legal battles with Open Mic Productions over unpaid royalties in 2022.
Despite its international success, she claimed she had not received any compensation for her contribution to the song.
As the trial date approaches, the local music industry and fans await the court’s decision, which will have significant implications for copyright practices and artist rights in South Africa.
The outcome may set a precedent for how collaborative works are credited and monetized, emphasizing the importance of clear agreements and rights clearances in the creative process
Words: Fame Frenzy
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