She left her former record label under a dark cloud. Singer and songwriter Nomcebo Zikode accused Open Mic Productions of exploitation. Last year, the Xola Moya wami singer revealed that she was owed thousands, if not millions, by the label for her contribution to the song Jerusalema with Master KG. The matter was taken to court. In the same year, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for the song Bayethe with Zakes Bantwini and Wouter Kellerman which won. Before the awards, Open Mic removed the song from Spotify. The singer has since made peace with the label and will be releasing one more project with them. 

ONE MORE PROJECT

Amid all the chaos, where open Mic is being accused by several artists of exploitation and ill-treatment, Nomcebo is said to have kissed and made up with the controversial record label and will be recording a project due for release after June this year. "They are in the process of resolving their differences. It has been a long and winding road but they have been good since January this year," an insider tells ZiMoja. "They are in the process of releasing a project and then they will part ways amicably." The insider says they have been working on mending the relationship. "The case is still pending, however, and they need to reach an agreement." Nomcebo’s management said they cannot comment on the matter. "All will be revealed in due course and a statement will be sent out." Lionel Jamela of Open Mic confirmed the news. "Yes it is true, but we are still in talks and cannot reveal further."

EXPLOITATION

This year, Open Mic Productions has made several headlines for all the wrong reasons. Singer Paige revealed to ZiMoja that the company has not paid what is due to her. From millions of streams, she alleged to have never received any benefit or a penny. She also alleged to have signed a contract that was three pages but soon after signing the contract, she requested a copy but it was 1 pages long. She accused the stable of forging her signature. Before that Mpumalanga producer and artist Sdala B left the label after they failed to pay his royalties. "I have worked hard and put all my efforts into the songs such as Zulu Ghanama, Khanyisa, and Ngiyazifela EP Deluxe, just to name a few. Open Mic Productions came in and promised me the world, but not even one of their promises were fulfilled." In recent events, Open Mic’s ‘cash cow’, Makhadzi revealed that she has not made a cent from the label. which they rubbished with statements showing payments made to her account of about R8 million.