Musician Makhadzi and her record name, Open Mic Creations, are set out toward a chaotic separation.

Different tunes are being played by both parties. The artist, who goes by the name Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, claims that her contract with the label expired in March, despite the fact that the label insists that their relationship will continue because she signed an automatic-renewal contract.

This week, the Matorokisi singer told City Press that when she signed a three-year contract with Open Mic in March, the label’s insistence that she was still under contract surprised her. She claimed that the contract was never hers.

I do not have a copy of my contract with Open Mic, even as I type this. Why do they conceal it? Why they withheld it from me for three years is beyond me.

 

Makhadzi said:

My employment has ended. I realize it was a three-year agreement and I decided to leave as opposed to make commotion

The performer, who presently possesses her own record mark, Makhadzi Diversion, likewise asserted that Open Mic owed her cash.

“It is miserable on the grounds that they are guaranteeing from me, though they have never paid me even a penny for my [record] deals. I made three full-length albums and one EP. Additionally, I collaborated with other artists on their behalf.

An emotional Makhadzi stated, “The only money I got was from the gigs, but I don’t even have proof of how much they were charging.”

She went on to say that she had been through a lot and was aware of the record label’s efforts to annoy her, but that she would try to remain composed and steadfast.

This week, Makhadzi took to her social media platforms to advise her promoters and fans not to book her for Open Mic anymore because she would not show up: They wanted me to perform in Zambia, so I no longer want to honor Open Mic gigs because doing so would be like agreeing to auto-renew.

Open Mic’s managing director, Nkateko Maluleke, sent Makhadzi a renewal of the management agreement, which City Press has seen. In it, the record label stated that Makhadzi’s contract would be extended for an additional three years.

“We as Open Mic Creations are satisfied to illuminate you that we are thusly reestablishing or broadening the agreement for an extra time of three years with impact from Walk 9 2023 as far as the administration understanding went into among yourself and Open Mic Creations,” peruses the letter.

City Press has heard that the musician later asked Makhadzi about the copy of her contract in a recorded conversation with Maluleke.

Maluleke then responded, ” I was present when you signed the contract. If you want to talk about the contract, I don’t think we should have this conversation. If it’s not too much trouble, converse with Molau [Rammala] and [Lionel] Jamela [the co-proprietors of Open Mic]. I requested it, but I do not possess it. I am employed by Open Mic and not the artists.

On Friday, Makhadzi put out a new single titled Niazwifha under her own record label. However, YouTube has since removed the song due to a copyright dispute.

Maluleke didn’t say anything about the fight with Makhadzi.

“We will not be commenting on this issue because we are contractually obligated by the confidentiality provisions in the agreement we entered into with our artist Makhadzi,” the company stated.