Jerusalema stars fight over royalties

Musicians Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode are embroiled in a bitter war of words after the latter claimed that she is yet to be paid for her role in creating the song.

In a statement posted on her verified Instagram and Facebook pages,  Zikode claimed she had not been paid a cent for the song despite its global success.

“I have been ridiculed, with efforts to marginalise my contribution. As a female artist, I can’t stay silent on this anymore. The matter is now with my lawyers,” she wrote.

In reaction, Open Mic Productions, to which both artists are signed, responded by saying Zikode and Master KG had both not been paid due to contractual disagreements on the part of Zikode.

“No payment has been made to either artist as yet because Nomcebo Zikode is yet to sign the featured artist agreement. As soon as she signs, payment will be made immediately,” reads the statement signed by Open Mic Productions official Brendon Maseko.

However, Master KG also went on Twitter to give his side of the story over Zikode’s claims.

He said: “Can you confirm that you got R1.5 million so far for Jerusalema? And before I explain many things, you guys haven’t paid me for Xola Moya Wami. And again, Nomcebo, can you tell these people that you are demanding a bigger percentage of the song’s royalties than mine?”

Jerusalema, released under Open Mic Productions, became a global hit thanks to its catchy beat and a routine dance that many performed worldwide.

The song is credited to Master KG with Nomcebo Zikode as a featured artist.