Musicians disagreeing with their record labels is actually nothing new. How the issue is handled makes all the difference.
For Maskandis singer Menzi Mabizela, life has taken a new turn as he has been dropped by the record label over what they consider “unreasonable” demands.
Among others, the musician was said to have asked for familial aid that would cover his lobola payments, but the record label said no. He was said to have asked for more to improve his standard of living, which was also denied. Ultimately, the label made the decision to stop him as one of its artists.
The result is that right like, like many other musicians, he is not attached to a record label. This seems to be fine with him, though, as he said he would not be managing himself.
What’s unclear at the moment is how well he can manage himself and how far he can go on his own without the backing of big-name brands.
Anyway, the support from fans, since the news of his exit from the record label broke, has been pretty massive – strong enough to gladden the hearts of any musician hopeful of a grand music career. Not bad.
