Award-winning singer Ami Faku has launched a legal battle against her manager, Raphael Benza, and his record label, Vth Season, alleging financial exploitation and demanding accountability for unpaid royalties.
The Imali hitmaker has taken the matter to the Johannesburg High Court, requesting full disclosure of accounting records related to her music career. Faku is accusing Benza and the label of withholding royalties and failing to provide transparent and organized financial documentation for years of her work under their management.
In court documents, Faku paints a troubling picture of alleged exploitation and unfair treatment, describing how she was taken advantage of during the early years of her career as a young Black female artist.
“I was exploited as a young Black female artist,” she reportedly stated, pointing to what she claims were disorganized royalty statements and unclear earnings that left her in the dark about how much money she was truly owed.
One of the most shocking revelations in the case is Faku’s claim that she personally spent over R400,000 to fund the production of her debut album Imali. Now, she is demanding full ownership of the album’s master recordings, citing that she took on the financial risk independently.
Faku is not only seeking payment of outstanding royalties but also asking the court to dissolve all existing contracts with both Benza and Vth Season. These include her artist, management, and publishing agreements, which she argues are exploitative and no longer serve her best interests.
Beyond her individual case, Faku’s legal filing raises broader concerns about industry practices, accusing Benza of a “pattern” of targeting young Black female artists for personal and financial gain. The lawsuit could spark wider scrutiny of how record labels and managers operate, particularly in relation to up-and-coming talent.
Faku’s decision to go public with her legal action marks a bold and potentially game-changing move in the South African music scene. As the court case unfolds, many in the industry and her fanbase are watching closely, with hopes that the outcome could pave the way for greater artist transparency, fair treatment, and accountability within the entertainment world.
