Local music producer, Levels from Mbare’s Chillspot Records has attacked Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) for allegedly withholding his royalties since 2011.
In a series of social media rants directed at ZIMURA, Levels, real name, Tafadzwa Kadzimwe, who feels short-changed by the association, said he risked having his royalties eroded by inflation before they are given to him.
“Inini chaiye murikuti makabata mari yangu asi kubva 2011 inini pandakatanga kurira paradio station makambozviisawo here mumusoro kuti mari iyoyo inogona kusazotenga hausi hwangova hutsinye chete hwamunawo here?
“You should be helping artists tarisai tiri mulockdown as mari dzingani dzamunadzo dzekuti muakapa varidzi vanobatsirikana, asi imimi chinokupai kubata mari yemunhu kusvika yakusatenga chii,” reads part of the post.
In response, ZIMURA dismissed the allegations saying Levels had failed to comply with them and fill in required forms so that his royalties are released. “It has come to ZIMURA’s attention that Levels – Chillspot and the General Public may not be aware of ZIMURA operations and have misconceptions that for one to get their royalties for airplay, they have to be a member of The Zimbabwe Music Rights Association and that is incorrect. “In our responses to Levels via Instagram we made it clear to him that all he has to do is to notify the organisation, in detail, all his works by filling out the Notification Forms and Split Sheets which define in detail the share splits with the artists he has worked with so that each artist gets what’s due to him. “The reason why ZIMURA is withholding these royalties is because Levels has not cleared the splits above,” reads part of the statement.
Zimura was established in 1982 with the aim to protect music composers’ rights against third parties.
It collects artists’ royalties from business premises and public events where local music is played and later distributes to the musicians.
