10 Amapiano Artists Who Own Their Own Masters. Amapiano is the current biggest wave that most artists are hopping on, and with growing keen ears amapiano is probably here to stay. However, mst artists own their masters while some don’t. Perhaps wondering what “masters” actually are and what owning them means? Here’s a bit of theory to that. Shawn Myeza of Sony Music Africa, explains: “A master recording/s (Masters) is the first recording of a song, from which all the later copies are made. S/he who owns masters owns the rights (license) to the song/s”
Amapiano pioneer DJ Maphorisa once caused quite a stir on Twitter listing all the artists who own and those that do not own their masters in a tweet. This comes after the controversies between Prince Kaybee and Maphorisa on ownership of masters. MacG also sparked quite a stir when he played the ‘Master or Slave’ game on his latest podcast, naming artists who own their masters and those that don’t. Although some revelations came as shocking, but record labels are there for a reason.
Here are 10 amapiano artists that owns their masters:
Mr JazziQ
Mr JazziQ owns his masters. He has a record label called ‘Black is Brown’ which has scouted and introduced some of the biggest amapiano new hit makers including the likes of Lady Du, Busta 929, Mpura, and ohers you can think of who were introduced to the public by JazziQ. He also owns masters to all the artists named above, with songs likes Umsebenzi Wethu, Woza, VSOP, and more released under his record label.
Kamo Mpela
South African dancer turned singer Kamo Mphela owns her masters. She recently started her own company called ‘Kamo Mphela Entertainment’ under which she released her latest ‘Nkulunkulu’ album. She has earned the title ‘queen of the dance floor’ for her her amazing dance moves, and her boss move of running solo might be because of her father’s influence considering he is a media personnel and a staff at YFM radio station.
DJ Maphorisa
DJ Maphorisa also owns his masters. The DJ is presently signed to his record label BlaqBoy Music upon quitting Kalawa Jazmee Records.
Kabza Da Small
Kabza De Small owns his masters. He has a record label called ‘Piano Hub’ which he releases his music under and has several new artists signed under it. Maphorisa also mentioned him when mentioning those that own their masters in a tweet that reads: “Samthin Soweto Owns. His Masters Kabza De Small Owns His Masters. DJ Maphorisa, I, own my Masters.”
De Mthuda
De Mthuda owns his masters. All his songs including his latest EP ‘Ace of Spades’.
Samthing Soweto
Sammthing Soweto real name Samkkelo Madolomba owns his masters. Although he started his music career as the leader of an a cappella group, The Soil, he left the group in 2011, just before they shot to fame because of a contractual disagreement with their record label, Native Rhythms. He then went solo.
Musa Keys
Musa Keys also owns his masters. He is presently signed under his record label called ‘Keys Records’.
Busta 929
Busta 929 owns his masters for his recent EP ‘Undisputed’. The man behind almost half the amapiano hits of December has left Mr JazziQ’s Black is Brown Entertainment to open his own record label ‘Thupa Industry’.
Major League DJz
Major League DJz owns their masters. They have their own record label called ‘Major League Music’.
Cassper Nyovest
Cassper Nyovest owns his masters, to all his songs released his record label called ‘Family Tree’.
