Mpura's family, artists declare war on music labels and producer

Expert appointed wants labels to take down songs

- By Ngwako Malatiji

The family of the late amapiano phenomenon Mpura and his fellow artists have declared war against several music labels for infringement of their copyright and failure to pay them royalties.

Mpura’s family and amapiano producers Tee Jay and ThackzinDJ have appointed music expert and consultant Vusi Leeuw to take the cudgels on their behalf and fight for what they say is due to them.

The trio appointed Leeuw of Vusi Leeuw Consulting after allegations that another amapiano producer, Neo Makate, popularly known as “Macfowlen”, had unlawfully signed deals with Universal Music and Def Jam Africa, and was paid a total of R300 000 in royalties under the guise that they were his artists and that he owned their masters.

Makate’s alleged con was rumbled by other artists who informed Leeuw to seek justice for Tee Jay, ThackzinDJ and Mpura. Mpura, together with Killer Kau, died in a tragic car accident on their way to a gig in North West in 2021.