Musa Keys Allegedly Facing R700k Lawsuit. Fondly referred to by his fans as the Tsonga Michael Jackson, he got his moniker because of his flamboyant style. He knew as early as 13 years old that he was destined for a career in music after he laid his hands on the church’s keyboard. Real name Musa Makamu, he was born in Giyani, Limpopo, but grew up in Polokwane
Popular amapiano artist Musa Keys has allegedly been slapped with a bill over R700 000 by Joburg-based record label, Electromode, for an alleged breach of contract. According to Sunday World, Electromode filed its papers at the Joburg High Court last week, asking the court to force Musa Keys, real name Musa Appreciate Makamu, to also pay for its legal costs and interest on the quantum it is demanding from him.
Musa Keys, whose blockbuster song Selema is taking the industry by storm, and has been streamed more than 9 million times, entered into an exclusive digital distribution agreement with Electromode on April 4 last year to distribute his songs and cinematographic via the internet, mobile and telecommunications companies.
The distribution agreement was supposed to end after 36 months, with an option for him to renew it for 12 months. Musa Keys, whose other song, Wena, also blasted the charts, was supposed to pocket 70% and pay the company 30% of the royalties he would have amassed from the distribution of his work.
The company said the artist from Giyani in Limpopo had granted it the sole and exclusive right to distribute his content, and to make it available worldwide to end-to-end users. The agreement precluded the singer, who is on a tour in Australia, from entering into any distribution agreement with a rival record label.
In addition, read the papers, the company would provide Musa Keys with a R30 000 advance and label services, which would include radio support. The label services would be considered as an advance and were 100% recoupable, but not returnable.
The company also said all money, including but not limited to recording costs paid to or on behalf of the artist, other than royalties, mechanic royalties and film costs, would also be treated as advances and would be deducted from any royalties accruing to his royalty account.
