Mzansi Artists Unite in Support of #PlayOurMusicWoolies Movement

Artists in South African have united to support the #PlayOurMusicWoolies call. This movement is against South African based multinational company, Woolworths, who have decided to stop playing music that will require for it to pay royalties.

So, Mzansi artists have united to fight against this decision from the Woolworths brand, after it decided that it would play music that is royalty-free in its stores.

The musicians in Mzansi believe that this decision will affect independent artists whose livelihood depend on royalties.

South African musicians such as Toya Delazy and Moozlie have come out to fight against Woolworths’ decision and support #PlayOurMusicWoolies.

See some reactions:

No one is saying @woolworths_sa is breaking any laws by not playing local music to avoid playing royalties (which is actually a damn shame if we’re being honest) but let’s just be honest, THAT IS BIG CAP‼️ #PlayOurMusicWoolies

— #SpiritOfAnOG 🙏🏾💫 (@nomoozlie) February 18, 2020

Bruh! This will hit independent artists the hardest & force artists to seek to be signed which in SA is slavery all over again having been there. I hope they rethink -they don't need to be cutting costs with all they money they make from us .. pic.twitter.com/k9HcXnFsDO

— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) February 18, 2020

Hypocrisy is expecting South Africans to purchase your products whilst you refuse to support local music.

So disappointed in you Woolworths 💔. #PlayOurMusicWoolies

— Bhoza Mphela ❣️🌈🌐🎤 (@MissBhoza) February 18, 2020

Some artists have asked me to explain why we are asking @WOOLWORTHS_SA to review its decision not to acquire a @OfficialSAMPRA license and effectively take food out the mouths of local artists.

Here’s a simple thread to help understand #PlayOurMusicWoolies :

— Piano Man (@KMalatji) February 18, 2020

Another body that has joined in the call to #PlayOurMusicWoolworths is the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA).

Royalty-free music will affect many South African artists and generations to come. @ginger_trill@ToyaDelazy Let's unite and ensure that @WOOLWORTHS_SA#PlayOurMusicWoolieshttps://t.co/yQbLzBitoT

— SAMPRA (@OfficialSAMPRA) February 18, 2020

Ginger Trill, who expressed his concern over Woolworths’ decision, recently wrote on Twitter:

I can tell you now a lot of us need our royalty cheques to keep going in this business, it’s such a significant part of our income, it keeps the lights on in some instances and this whole thing with Woolies is gonna be devastating.

However, Woolworths PR Manager, Raphaella Frame-Tolmie, said in a statement:

We have confirmed with our music supplier that they absolutely still include South African music in our playlists, and there is currently no intention to change this. It is not clear what the source of Mr Seroalo, aka Ginger Trill’s information is, but we wanted to let you know that it is incorrect and unfounded.

We are uncertain with how far this movement will spread but we know that South African artists have expressed their displeasure with Woolworths’ decision.