Master Kg's song became a global hit and pulled impressive numbers online. Jerusalema currently has over 400 million views on YouTube, and over a billion views on TikTok. This means another stream of income for the Jerusalema hitmakers, especially after Tik Tok reached an agreement with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) to pay Mzansi artists royalties every time their music is used on the app.
Business Insider, Wiseman Ngubo, CEO of Capasso announced the news saying,“We are happy to have reached an agreement with TikTok in order to ensure that pan African songwriters are taken care of on the platform. With the increasing spotlight on African music, more African songwriters are poised to reach global superstar status and TikTok will play a major role in showcasing their talents to the world."
Explaining how the royalties will be calculated, he said: “Streaming royalty calculations are not based on a fixed rate per stream, rather they are based on what is termed a pro rata share of the available pool. This means, in essence, royalties are determined by one’s market share, as determined by usage, in each period.”
However, the success of the song has also been followed by a whole lot of drama. Last year Nomcebo who is featured on the song, took to her social media platforms to release a statement alleging that, despite the success of the song, she has not received a cent.
She said, "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”
"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”
She added that the continued love and support from the fans of Jerusalema has helped her through everything, “I, as a female artist, can’t stay silent on this anymore. The matter is now with my lawyers.”
The record label and Master KG hit back at Nomcebo's claims. Taking to Twitter, Master KG revealed that she has received over a million.
"Can you confirm that you received R1.5m so far from Jerusalema? and before I explain many things you guys haven't paid me for Xola Moya Wami...And again, Nomcebo can you tell these people that you are demanding a bigger percentage than mine on this song?" he tweeted.
He also added: "Last year Nomcebo started Jerusalema tour without me and I never had a problem and a few weeks back I started my tour and then Nomcebo went to the media and created a story that I'm leaving her behind ... I don't really know why things must be like this."
