Eugene Mthethwa, who is a member of the legendary kwaito group Trompies, says he only got R5 in royalties from Samro this year. Image via @simplyeugene01
‘Peanuts cost R8’: Trompies member Eugene’s R5 royalties payout
‘This is the reason people cannot explain why artists are dying poor’: Eugene Mthethwa has challeged Samro to reveal its top 20 earners.
Eugene Mthethwa, who is a member of the legendary kwaito group Trompies, says he only got R5 in royalties from Samro this year. Image via @simplyeugene01
Social media users have expressed shock following reports that Eugene Mthethwa — a member of the legendary kwaito group Trompies — has received only R5.43 in royalties this year.
Following Samro’s (South African Music Rights Organisation) statement on Tuesday 13 September that it had paid more than R13 million to artists, Mthethwa revealed the amount of money he has received from the music copyright management body — City Press reports.
EUGENE MTHETHWA ON HIS ROYALTIES FROM SAMRO
The publication reports that Eugene Mthethwa revealed his statement from Samro on Friday, 16 September, showing how much was paid to him.
According to his financial statement, Mthethwa collected amounts ranging from 34c to R1.28 last year. These were for songs such as Time’s Up, Umgidi, Koko and Sigiya Ngengoma which were released by the 1990s kwaito group.
Mthethwa said that he receives that amount of money every year as he challenged Samro to reveal a list of their top 20 earners
“I know what they mean when they talk about the R13 million, and I challenge them to come out publicly with a list of their top 20 earners,” he said.
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‘HOW CAN I LIVE LAVISH WITH R5?’
The musician claimed that the top 20 list would not consist of fellow South African artists, but companies who collect royalties on behalf of musicians.
“I promise you, you will not find any individuals on the list. You will find companies. Not even composers, but random people who have started companies and are making money out of the ignorance of artists.
“They are not even ashamed … How do you explain, with such big songs, that you are only getting R5? And this is after six months of releasing an album? This is the reason people cannot explain why artists are dying poor. They make up all sorts of stories that we are living lavish lives … How can I live lavish with R5?” Mthethwa said.
According to Samro, the R13 million is accumulated royalties and their initiative is ongoing.
“The programme saw Samro embark on a momentous task of contacting thousands of members through TransUnion and via direct communication to request that they update their banking details. A list of affected members was also published on the organisation’s website.
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TWEEPS WEIGH IN
Twitter users weighed in on Mthethwa’s royalties payout, saying it was disrespectful and embarrassing.
One tweep suggested that maybe it was time to reinstate former SABC Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s 90% local content policy which stated that the SABC radio and TV channels must play 90% local content.
