His reality show was canned and he admitted to being broke after he expressed unhappiness with SeMamo Productions, responsible for shooting his reality show, Papa Penny Ahee. His reality show was a hit. He was loved across the country for his wit, fashion sense and interesting family dynamics. But legendary Shangaan disco artist Eric Kulani Giyani Nkovani, better known as Papa Penny, has since lost the show after it was cancelled due to financial disagreements with the production company. After going through financial woes and in debt, record label Open Mic has come to his rescue and is the latest artist they have taken under their wing.

AN OFFER HE COULDN’T REFUSE

Since signing with the label, his "life has changed" and he has been working on campaigns and is currently working on an album. Label boss, Lionel Jamela confirms to ZiMoja that they have indeed signed the legend. "What an incredible guy to work with," Lionel says. "He needed us and we thought he would be the perfect candidate, as he truly represents South Africa. It was an offer he could not refuse," Lionel adds. "He will be releasing his first project with us in July." Open Mic is constantly making headlines for the wrong reasons. Last year, Nomcebo Zikode said she had not received what was due to her for the international hit Jerusalema. This year Sdala B left the label and Makhadzi did not renew her contract and said they still owed her money. But Papa Penny is not worried. "Every artist has their own contract. It’s their responsibility to check it," he says. "I can’t say much on their issues with previous artists, but they did a good job with Jerusalema."

A WEIGHT OFF HIS SHOULDERS

Papa Penny feels a weight has been lifted off his shoulders after the fall out with the production company shooting his reality show. "I have been so busy," he says. "Open Mic is a good company." According to the Siya Vuma singer, the production company did not include his taxes in his fee as well as travel and accommodation costs when shooting which led to the cancellation of his reality show. "Those people still owe me money. I still want the money they owe me. If they want to keep the show, it’s okay but there can’t be another Penny Penny. I’m not fighting, they need to do what is right," he shared in a previous interview with ZiMoja. "They paid me R300 000 for season one and the same for season two. Then we negotiated that they give me R400 000 for seasons three and four. They did not include money for my VAT and when my auditor realised that, I approached them to pay the VAT because I was unaware that it was not included but they refused." Papa Penny says there are many other occurrences that made him unhappy. "They were not paying my family up until season three. My mother died on season four without having been paid. My mother died without receiving her money from the production company," he says.