Amapiano artist Thato Ledwaba, widely known as “Kelvin Momo”, has released another banger. But this time, it is not the sound of his melodic music that has the people talking.
He has exited the studio and entered the courtroom, in a matter that sees genre giant and Piano Hub owner Kabelo Motha, popularly known as “Kabza De Small”, being summoned to pay an amount of R1 million in damages.
Ledwaba took to the Johannesburg High Court on the 25th of June, where a court application to sue Piano Hub was lodged. The esteemed artist is demanding the court to direct Piano Hub to pay R1 million in damages for an alleged breach of contract.
In 2020, rising star Kelvin Momo was taken in by Piano Hub as one of their artists in a collaborative deal. This deal birthed the release of the artist’s famous debut album, Momo’s Private School. However, according to the court documents, the record label has fallen short in maximising the artist’s endorsements and royalties from that album.
Furthermore, information provided in court reveals Piano Hub has not fulfilled their promise to promote and adequately market the music Kelvin has released since signing in 2020.
The court papers read:
“The agreement was that Thato Ledwaba would receive his royalty payments every six months. [However], the record label failed to provide a royalty statement or come to an agreement in respect of the split [of R86575 in 2021 between Ledwaba and another artist, Babalwa Mavuso- better known as Babalwa M] in respect of the royalties.” Per News 24
Ledwaba expressed his frustration, adding that he explicitly asked that the verbal agreement between the two parties be made formal through a written document. This was done because of wavering uncertainty surrounding royalty payments and artist management within the record label. His grievance was also that he had to source his own funding for some of his performances and did not get support from the record label.
Things have taken a turn for the worst, as the court documents also reveal that this situation has been detrimental to Ledwaba’s reputation in the industry. There are several artists who are said to be “reluctant” to work with him, as they fear they will not be paid for their contributions.
The documents add that, “the record label deliberately misrepresented his status in the record label against his will, after a failure to publicly acknowledge his departure from the label.”
The predicament these two artists find themselves in has thrown the country and many fans into a frenzy. Many spectators find themselves caught between both sides. They have both made immense contributions to the Amapiano industry, with their unforgettable sounds that have moved crowds. There is lingering hope that the issue is resolved, as these are arguably two of the most loved amapiano artists in the country.
Here’s what their fans on X had to say about this squabble…
@Dinny_Bridges commented, “Kelvin momo is unproblematic, can kabza please do right by him”
@Evidence_Shongw commented, “Haibo I thought this guys would release an album together then this”
Haibo I thought this guys would release an album together then this????????
— Evidence Bongwe (@Evidence_Shongw) July 7, 2024
Main image: Soundcloud
The post Amapiano Animosity: Kelvin Momo sues Kabza De Small of R1 million! appeared first on EntertainmentSA News South Africa.
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