By Rorisang Modiba
- Makhadzi claims Open Mic created a company without her consent and linked it to Virgin Music Group to take her publishing royalties.
- Open Mic co-founder Lionel Jamela dismissed the accusations as a publicity stunt, saying Makhadzi should focus on running her own label.
Makhadzi has accused Open Mic Productions of stealing from her by secretly registering her under a new company to collect her music royalties.
The Kokota Piano star, whose real name is Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, went public on social media, saying she only signed a distribution deal with Africori and no other company.
She says Open Mic went behind her back and created a company called Nazo with Mukima Production, which then joined forces with Virgin Music Group to take her publishing royalties.
“After my fallout with Open Mic, I never signed a publishing deal with any company. Now I just found out they are busy collecting my royalties without my knowledge,” she wrote.
Her manager, Maphuti Mathato, confirmed they are investigating the claims. “If it is true, then it could be seen as fraud,” he said.
But Open Mic co-founder Lionel Jamela has denied everything. He brushed it off as a publicity stunt, saying: “It’s another stunt to promote her album. We parted ways with her; she must run her label peacefully without accusing.”
The star parted ways with Open Mic in 2023 after a rocky three-year run. She is preparing to release her new album on 5 September.
Pictured above: Makhadzi.
Image source: File
