South African music producer Smaki 08 has voiced his deep disappointment and frustration after being removed from the credits of 12 songs on DJ Jaivane’s highly anticipated album, Onkgopotse, which is slated for release on 31 August 2025.
In a public statement released on social media, Smaki 08 disclosed that he had produced, composed, and engineered 14 songs for the project—handling everything from vocal recordings to arrangement and mixing over the span of a year. However, on 28 July, he was informed that his name would be omitted from the majority of the album’s credits. According to Smaki, the decision was made by the album’s distributor, who allegedly feared that it would not look “balanced” to have one producer dominate the tracklist.
“There was no agreement signed, no consultation, and I was not given a chance to approve or reject this removal,” Smaki wrote in his statement. He further revealed that he retains all project files, stems, and proof of authorship, and has now taken legal action in an effort to halt the album’s release until he is formally acknowledged.
The news has sparked outrage online, with hashtags like #JusticeForSmaki08, #RespectTheProducer, and #IndependentArtistsMatter gaining traction on social media platforms. Fans, fellow producers, and artists have rallied behind Smaki, applauding him for standing up against what many perceive to be a widespread issue in the music industry: the lack of proper credit and recognition for behind-the-scenes creators.
“This is bigger than me,” Smaki wrote. “It’s about credit, ownership, and fairness in South African music.”
In response, DJ Jaivane’s label Simnandi Records released an official statement confirming that a meeting was held with Smaki 08 and his legal team. The label stated that while the album rollout will proceed as planned, the distributor has now agreed to update the credits post-release to reflect Smaki’s contributions.
Simnandi also addressed renewed attention to past disputes, particularly around the 2021 song Ubushabethu, affirming their intention to resolve issues privately and respectfully.
The situation has sparked larger conversations about transparency, producer rights, and intellectual property protection within South African music. As the release date approaches, all eyes remain on whether Smaki 08’s efforts will set a new precedent for artist and producer accountability.
