Two Record Labels Wrestle Over Nomcebo Zikode

The drama in celebville never ceases to amaze anyone and at often times, lawyers get involved and things get nasty. Nomcebo Zikode has made headlines once more, and this time there seems to be trouble between her record label Open Mic Productions and DJ Tira’s Afrotainment.

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According to Sowetan Live, Open Mic Production has issued out a legal letter to the Afrotainment boss to take down his song Nguwe featuring Nomcebo Zikode, which is from his recent project 21 Years Of DJ Tira. Co-owner of the label Lionel Jamela told the publication that they have lawyered up to get Tira to take down the song from all music streaming platforms and from his album, as well as to stop marketing it on his social media as well as the radio stations. 

This is because Nomcebo did not get the proper approval from her record label to feature on the album. 

Open Mic says they cannot allow Nomcebo to work with any other artist at the moment because they are trying to push her music career as a solo artist. 

“As a company that is managing Nomcebo and has signed her we have decided that we cannot allow anyone to release a song featuring Nomcebo now while we are focused on pushing her as a solo artist,” said Jamela. 

Jamela then added that Tira did not communicate with them and went about the wrong way of scoring a collaboration with their artist, who currently has the second biggest song in the country currently. 

“Tira has no formal agreement with the label, whereas when you record with an artist that belongs to another company you must communicate with them and get the proper legal clearance.

“I don’t know what Nomcebo’s personal stand is, but as a company we are doing right by an artist that we are developing. Her song is topping radio all over the country and if there is another song that is coming from somewhere it will disrupt our own marketing strategy,” concluded the co-owner.

Tira confirmed to Sowetan live that he received the letter but has not yet responded. “Yes those are some of their demands and I’m responding to all of that so that we can find common ground. I think there was a breakdown of communication between me, Nomcebo and them (Open Mic). I was dealing with Nomcebo a lot, but she was also supposed to finalise things with them. We all need to come together and sort out whatever issue we have,” Tira responded to the publication.

Tira clarified that his intentions were not to disrupt Nomcebo’s reign and just wants to see her grow as an artist, hence the good working relationship they have. He said that he was aware that Nomcebo was signed under Open Mic, but he hoped she would handle the legalities with her company.

“I’m not trying to capitalise on the Jerusalema hype and interrupt her solo career. We all want Nomcebo to shine and have the best career. We just want to see her win and that’s why I have a good relationship with her. We are all trying to see if we can all work together,” Tira concluded.

Nomcebo said she is unaware of any problem between Tira and her record label. “I’ve been doing songs with other artists like Mobi Dixon and the list is endless. I’m not aware of any issue between Tira and Open Mic,” she said

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