South African singer and songwriter Ayabonga Zuma, popularly known as Sykes, has shocked fans with revelations about his difficult experience with his former record label. The uMa weNgane hitmaker recently opened up about the alleged financial and emotional strain he endured before finally securing his independence as an artist.
In a candid interview shared on STRAATATUBE’s YouTube channel, Sykes claimed that his former label demanded a staggering R250,000 payment before allowing him to terminate his contract. The artist described the ordeal as both frustrating and disheartening, revealing that the label presented him with a spreadsheet detailing supposed expenses he was allegedly responsible for.
“Before I could leave, they gave me a spreadsheet for R250,000 for groceries that I didn’t even eat, per year,” Sykes revealed in the interview, visibly upset by the situation. “I had to pay for it myself, but I was never paid. But by God’s grace, I managed to give them the money and leave.”
The artist further explained that during his time under the label, he never received proper financial compensation for his work, making the demand even more unreasonable in his view. His experience echoes a recurring issue in the South African music industry, where several artists have spoken out about unfair contracts and exploitative practices within record labels.
Despite the financial burden, Sykes emphasized that he is now grateful to be free from what he described as a restrictive agreement. “It wasn’t easy, but I had to do it to regain my peace and creative control,” he shared.
Now operating as an independent artist, Sykes has set his sights on rebuilding his career on his own terms. He expressed optimism about the future, noting that the lessons learned from his ordeal have made him more aware of the importance of understanding contracts and protecting his intellectual property.
Fans and fellow musicians have rallied behind him on social media, applauding his courage to speak out and warning upcoming artists to be cautious when signing with record labels.
While Sykes’ claims have yet to receive an official response from the label, his story shines a light on the darker side of the music business — one where young artists often find themselves bound by exploitative agreements. For Sykes, however, freedom and self-determination mark a new beginning.
