Eyadini hitmaker Manqonqo, real name Mlungisi Buthelezi, is claiming to be dying of hunger because he has been apparently ripped off by music giants. Remember the hit song Eyadini which kept us up all night in 2018? Those were the better days. Now, the muso behind the single says he is now struggling to make ends meet as he has fallen on hard times.
Speaking to Isolezwe, Manqonqo said he only received a penny worth of royalties, leaving him to worry about where the rest of the funds went. The muso who broke into the music scene in 2018 said his hit song only made him R4000.
At the time of releasing the song, Manqonqo says he had no contract signed with any company. It was only after releasing the song, which topped charts where he was apparently approached by a record company called UJU Records.
Currently because of the pandemic, he is struggling to get bookings and perform at events. "I do not know where the rest of the money went. I do believe there are people who are feeding off of my hard work," he told the paper.
He further added that he suspects the company for ripping him off but he is not certain. In an email sent to the publication, Southern African Rights Organisation (Samro) clear off any error on their part.
The company claims Eyadini royalties were paid off in 2018 but according to their records, Manqonqo is not the owner of the song. They then advised him to talk with the owners of the song.
This story is just one of many and several artists have always been vocal about being ripped off by music giants. This takes us back to the ongoing feud between Rap Lyfe former artists, Kwesta, Makwa, Nota and many others.
Makwa went on Instagram Live and exposed the people who owe him money. A fight broke off between he and Nota who then took shots at Kwesta. They all point fingers at Kwesta but the rapper clarified everything but admitted to his mistake.
“As success came, through everyone's efforts - Difference of ideas, mismanagement of funds and many other things led to distrust. I'm guilty of some of these things and so are Nota and Leroy,” he said, He also added, “Leroy handled the finances, Nota was the music executive and I, as Kwesta, was the catalyst to source funds through performances, endorsements etc.”
