'Jerusalema' hit song battle heats up in court
PRETORIA - The court wrangle over the song 'Jerusalema' continues, with Open Mic Productions defending its handling of royalties.
But singer Nomcebo Zikode's record label wants the company to comply with a court order, and reveal exactly how much the song has earned.
Zikode's team hopes the case produces a win for artists' rights across the music industry.
By reserving judgment, Judge Graham Moshoana has set the stage for a decisive showdown.
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The Citizen
13-05-2025
- The Citizen
WATCH: ULTRA South Africa celebrates 10 years of dance music
ULTRA South Africa is Africa's largest electronic music festival and is part of the ULTRA Worldwide family. The main stage at ULTRA South Africa which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied ULTRA South Africa marked a decade of dance with two monumental shows this weekend, kicking off in Cape Town on Friday, May 9, before heading to Johannesburg for a grand finale on Saturday, May 10. Together, they formed a euphoric celebration of music, energy, and unity — and a fitting tribute to 10 years of ULTRA magic in South Africa. Both cities turned up in full force, with fans packing out the venues from early afternoon to the final beat at 2 a.m. As expected, ULTRA South Africa's 10th anniversary was nothing short of spectacular, with an electrifying line-up of international headliners who delivered unforgettable performances across both cities. The main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied Martin Garrix closed the night incredibly, delivering a career-spanning set. The highlight: a jaw-dropping surprise appearance by American indie pop star Lauv and South Africa's own Lloyiso, who joined Garrix as surprise guests. Iconic trance legend Armin van Buuren kept the energy soaring with a flawless mix of massive hits and fresh new tracks, bringing South African fans an experience they won't soon forget. Making his South African debut, ISOxo brought his high-energy sound and genre-bending style to local fans, cementing his place as one of the most exciting new names in electronic music and KSHMR thrilled fans by putting his own dynamic spin on local favourites like 'Sister Bethina', 'Jerusalema', 'I Fink You Freeky' and even 'Nkalakatha', creating an incredible cultural crossover moment on the main stage. Armin Van Buuren playing on the main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied The ever-evolving RESISTANCE stage offered deeper, darker energy, delivering a pulsating soundtrack to ULTRA South Africa's more underground electronic fans. This year's line-up was a masterclass in melodic Techno, Progressive House, and Afro-house. International heavyweights like Mind Against and Massano captivated the crowd with their intricate performances, while South African titans like Shimza and Culoe De Song delivered transcendent sets that fused Afro-tech and Afro-house elements with a deep, spiritual resonance — a beautiful reminder of the country's influence on the global dance scene. Cape Town's show at The Ostrich kicked off the weekend, set against the picturesque Western Cape views. From Dean Fuel B2B Kyle Cassim to Gil Glaze, Niskerone, and a powerful opener by MIA, the day was packed with South African talent at its finest. KSHMR playing on the main stage at ULTRA South Africa, which took place at Nasrec Expo Centre. 10 May 2025. Picture: Supplied Johannesburg's ULTRA South Africa experience at the Expo Centre Nasrec was the larger of the two, featuring additional stages: The Groove Room and Clubhouse. Legends such as Kabza De Small, DBN Gogo, DJ Maphorisa, and Da Capo took the celebration to new heights. Celebrating and paying homage to South African electronic music and Amapiano, The Groove Room was an exciting addition to the ULTRA South Africa offering. Sets by Oscar Mbo, Dlala Thukzin, 2woBunnies, and Mörda drew massive crowds and proved to be an exciting new chapter for Ultranauts. Meanwhile, Clubhouse returned and kept things vibing with incredible sets from Kasango, Shamiso, and who all delivered unforgettable moments. Across both cities, the weekend was a powerful reminder of why ULTRA South Africa has become a cornerstone of the country's music culture, bringing fans together to celebrate the sounds that move us. ALSO WATCH: Tanker crash on N1 South causes major traffic delays in Roodepoort
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- The Citizen
Nomcebo Zikode: 'I will keep on fighting through this pain'
Nomcebo lost a court case against Open Mic Productions. Award-winning singer Nomcebo Zikode says she will keep fighting for justice after losing a court battle against Open Mic Productions. Zikode and her company, Emazulwini Productions, issued a joint statement expressing disappointment following the Pretoria High Court judgment delivered on 9 May 2025. The court dismissed her application to declare parts of a 2022 settlement agreement unenforceable and ordered her to deliver two more albums to Open Mic before she can exit her contract. 'A song that once gave the world hope has, in turn, broken me. I still have not seen a single cent, and I am still fighting for my rights. 'But I will keep on fighting through this pain and exhaustion because we cannot continue excusing the exploitation of artists in this beautiful country. Aluta Continua,' Zikode wrote on Instagram. The Citizen sent questions to Zikode, but she had not responded at the time of publication. ALSO READ: Master KG to appear in court over 'Jerusalema' copyright dispute Legal battle over royalties and rights Zikode and Open Mic have been locked in legal disputes since 2022 over her and Master KG's global hit Jerusalema. However, the recent court case centred on her Grammy-winning track Bayethe. In her application, Zikode asked the court to compel Open Mic to meet its accounting obligations, including detailed disclosures of income from synchronisation licences, bookings, brand deals, physical sales of Jerusalema and royalty breakdowns. While the two parties settled out of court in 2022 — agreeing to a 50/50 joint venture for future releases via Africori — Zikode later returned to court, accusing the label of failing to uphold their end of the deal. Last week, the court ultimately ruled that she could not seek relief that contradicted or extended beyond the 2022 agreement. In the statement, Zikode and her record label describe the judgment as 'fundamentally flawed and deeply troubling'. 'While we respect the role of the court, we cannot ignore the bigger picture: this case represents more than a contractual disagreement – it is about the rights of an artist to be acknowledged, compensated and respected for their work. 'Nomcebo's battle is emblematic of the struggle faced by countless artists across the continent who are locked into unfair deals and denied their rightful earnings by powerful corporate entities,' the statement adds. Zikode's legal team is considering an appeal, according to the statement. NOW READ: 'Ma, are you crazy?': Helen Zille's sons react to Showmax Roast
IOL News
12-05-2025
- IOL News
Unpacking the heartbreak of music contracts: Nomcebo Zikode's disturbing journey
Music contracts constitute the backbone of an artist's career, dictating crucial aspects such as financial arrangements and ownership rights. In a heartfelt message, she revealed a disheartening truth: she and her record label, Emazulwini Productions, have yet to see a single cent from the global hit 'Jerusalema', a song that propelled to international fame in collaboration with Master KG . Yesterday morning, as I scrolled through my Instagram feed, I stumbled upon a touching post from renowned South African singer Nomcebo Zikode . This revelation is particularly tragic, given the song's monumental success since its release in 2020. 'Jerusalema' became a viral sensation, uniting people across the globe during the Covid-19 pandemic with its infectious rhythm and inspiring dance challenges on platforms like TikTok. Yet, beneath this celebrated facade lies a disturbing tale of contractual disputes and unresolved financial obligations. In her statement, Zikode expressed profound disappointment following a legal defeat against Open Mic Productions, revealing that she had never received any payment for her work. She described the Gauteng High Court's judgment as 'fundamentally flawed and deeply troubling.' This legal tussle, which has been ongoing since 2022, has shaken the foundations of trust in the music industry and left artists questioning the fairness of their representation. As the public reacts to Zikode's woes, fans and fellow artists alike are voicing their concerns and seeking clarity on her contract agreement. Commenters on her post posed pointed questions, asking, 'What did your contract say?' and 'What kind of deal did you sign?' In response, Zikode clarified her situation, stating that while her obligation was to deliver two albums for the recording label, she cannot fulfill this until she receives pay for the chart-topping tracks 'Jerusalema' and 'Xola Moya Wam'. Zikode stressed that their initial agreement stipulated payments every three months, a commitment she believes has been significantly overlooked.
