Entertainment / Celebrity
Hosiah Chipanga attacks Gramma Records for royalties
19 Aug 2015 at 08:28hrs | Views
Sungura musician Hosiah Chipanga has expressed disgruntlement over the alleged non-payment of his royalties running into thousands of dollars by Gramma Records.
An irate Chipanga said attempts to get his money from the recording and distribution company, which has been selling his music, had been in vain.
"This is a very sad and painful development. Gramma is selling my music and I am not being given any cent from the proceeds," he said.
Chipanga said when Record and Tape Promotions (RTP), the company that originally produced his music, ceased operations in 2007, Gramma Records bought his music from them.
He said he did not have any contract with Gramma.
Following the closure of RTP, Chipanga briefly worked with Alick Macheso's Last Power Studios, but when they also ceased operations, he signed a contract with Metro Studios in 2013.
The album Gushungo, which proved to be a major success, reportedly sold very well in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa under Gramma Records.
The album also received rave reviews from many music lovers following its message that said President Robert Mugabe was surrounded by selfish thieves and crooks that were making riches using his name.
"Having seen that my album had made it on the local and international market I went to Gramma and asked if they could also give me something out of the sales and they agreed," said Chipanga.
"But what I find surprising now is that they are still selling my music without giving me any cent. They are saying they will not pay me anything anymore unless I stop working with Metro Studios."
He said he tried to get assistance from Zimbabwe Union of Musicians patron Webster Shamu before he was subsequently fired from government.
Gramma Records general manager Emmanuel Vhori yesterday said he could not respond as he was driving, but efforts to get hold of him later in the day were in vain as his phone went unanswered.
An irate Chipanga said attempts to get his money from the recording and distribution company, which has been selling his music, had been in vain.
"This is a very sad and painful development. Gramma is selling my music and I am not being given any cent from the proceeds," he said.
Chipanga said when Record and Tape Promotions (RTP), the company that originally produced his music, ceased operations in 2007, Gramma Records bought his music from them.
He said he did not have any contract with Gramma.
Following the closure of RTP, Chipanga briefly worked with Alick Macheso's Last Power Studios, but when they also ceased operations, he signed a contract with Metro Studios in 2013.
The album Gushungo, which proved to be a major success, reportedly sold very well in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa under Gramma Records.
The album also received rave reviews from many music lovers following its message that said President Robert Mugabe was surrounded by selfish thieves and crooks that were making riches using his name.
"Having seen that my album had made it on the local and international market I went to Gramma and asked if they could also give me something out of the sales and they agreed," said Chipanga.
"But what I find surprising now is that they are still selling my music without giving me any cent. They are saying they will not pay me anything anymore unless I stop working with Metro Studios."
He said he tried to get assistance from Zimbabwe Union of Musicians patron Webster Shamu before he was subsequently fired from government.
Gramma Records general manager Emmanuel Vhori yesterday said he could not respond as he was driving, but efforts to get hold of him later in the day were in vain as his phone went unanswered.
Source - NewsDay
