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| @PaigeSA and MakhadziSA |
The music industry has long been plagued by stories of exploitation and unfair treatment of young and upcoming artists. The recent outcry by Paige and Makhadzi is just another testament to this ongoing issue.
Paige, in particular, took to Twitter to express her frustration and disappointment with Open Mic Productions. She claimed that the company had withheld payment for her music and had forged her initials and signature on a 17-page contract. Her story is not unique, as many artists have come forward with similar stories of being cheated out of their royalties and being forced to sign contracts that they do not fully understand.
The music industry is notorious for its complex legal language, which can make it difficult for young artists to fully comprehend the contracts they are signing. This can lead to situations where artists unknowingly sign away their rights to their music or are not fully compensated for their work. The issue of record label exploitation has been a long-standing one in the music industry, and it is clear that there needs to be more accountability and transparency in the way that record labels operate.
In Paige's case, she requested a copy of her contract and was promised to receive one in no time. However, the copy was not sent to her as promised, and throughout 2021, her team and manager kept on requesting a copy of the contract, but Open Mic could not send it until July 2022. To her surprise, when the 3-page contract she had signed came back as a 17-page contract with her initials and signature on every page, she realized that her signature and initials were forged on all those pages.
What Makhadziis going through, is exactly the same thing am currently going through. From millions of streams, I have never received any benefit or a penny from those millions of streams. I remember signing a contract which was 3 pages.
— @REALPAIGESA (@REALPAIGESA) May 8, 2023
When she and her team requested to see the original copy of the 17-page contract, they were told that the original document was missing. Out of fear, they decided to keep quiet because there were threats on her life and that of her management and team. Despite this, Paige puts her trust in God and believes that one day her prayers will be answered. In the meantime, she and her team will continue to make music.
I signed with open mic only for three years. In this three years I dropped 4 albums . I have never recieved any cent of my sales . Some of my album reached platinum some gold . And a lot of hits songs that reached platinum and Gold . But I continue to work without complaining
— Makhadzi (@MakhadziSA) May 6, 2023
It is crucial for artists to educate themselves about their rights and be vigilant when it comes to signing contracts. The music industry can be a tough and cutthroat business, but with the right knowledge and support, young artists can protect themselves and their work. Artists should also be given access to legal representation and should be provided with contracts that are clear and easy to understand.
The music industry needs to address the issue of record label exploitation and work towards providing a fairer and more transparent system for young artists. It is time for the industry to take responsibility for its actions and ensure that artists are not taken advantage of.
Source images from their twitter @PaigeSA and MakhadziSA
