Jerusalema Lands Master KG In Hot Water

Master KG's controversial rise to the top

By  | Nov 17, 2021, 01:11 PM  | Master KG  | Drama

Post main image
Master KG is once again caught up in a web of controversy over the ownership of the hit song Jerusalema. The global superstar makes headlines once again as as a DJ from Limpopo popularly known as Charmza The DJ, slapped him with lawyer letters to inform him that he should pay up.

Read more: Nomcebo On Strained Relationship With Master KG

In the confidential letters released by entertainment commentator Phil Mphela, his lawyers Adams & Adams, allege that Charmza composed the overall sound of the song and Master KG played a little role in making it.

Charmza was invited by Master KG to his studio on Midrand to create a song for Nomcebo Zikode.

"Around 19 August 2019, our client, Charmza the DJ, was invited telephonically by Master KG to visit his recording studio in Midrand to produce a track for female vocalist Nomcebo Zikode.

"Our client travelled from his home in Limpopo and during the recording session at Master KG’s studio, he originated, authored, composed and produced the original musical composition for the song that Master KG and Open Mic Productions later released commercially under the title Jerusalema.

The letter further states that Charmza is the original copyright owner, "Our client authored the original melody of the composition, the beats and the arrangement of the song, melody and vocals."

They then continue to add that when Charmza went back to his home in Limpopo, Master KG released the song allegedly without his knowledge nor clearance. 

"Our client was surprised to learn that Master KG simply proceeded to release the song commercially, through his record label at the time, Open Mic Productions, without contacting our client and without obtaining the required rights clearances for the use of our client’s copyright-protected music and musical composition.

"Our client did not transfer any rights of copyright through written agreement or otherwise and remains vested with all rights of copyright in the composition.”

Charmza claim that Master KG was not in studio when Nomcebo sang the vocals and when the vocals were arranged, resulting in him contributing a very small percentage to the Jerusalema.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. Fans are convinced that Master KG swindled his way to the top whereas other people actually worked their butts off to make it.

This was brought to light after Nomcebo released her statement alleging to have been robbed from Jerusalema. "Thank you to all the fans of #Jerusalema, you have made my dreams a reality, with attaining a global hit song. My voice and lyrics have transcended globally, but I still await what is due to me.” her statement reads. 

"I have not been paid a cent by the label for #Jerusalema despite the song’s global success. I have been ridiculed, with efforts to marginalise my contribution. I, as a female artist, can’t stay silent on this anymore. The matter is now with my lawyers.”

Speaking to Sunday world, a source confirmed this matter, “She has not been paid a cent for Jerusalema. "They could not reach an agreement, so Nomcebo had to consult with her lawyers. The record label called her demand ‘ridiculous.’ How is 50% ridiculous? She wrote the lyrics and sang them, he produced the song. That should count for something,” the source said.

Read next: Cassper Has A Message For His Haters

Image credit: Instagram
Read more