They have been many headlines for the wrong reasons. It started in 2021 when singer and songwriter Nomcebo Zikode accused Open Mic Productions of exploitation and not receiving what was due to her for the song Jerusalema. Then DJ Chramza came forward to say, he ,too, was behind the production of the song and is taking legal action. In 2021 Master KG left the label to start his own. Recently Makhadzi was forced into an extended contract after three years. She says she has been exploited by the label and is being owed money. She said she wants out of the relationship and will no longer be working with them. Now producer and Mpumalanga artist Sdala B tells ZiMoja that he too is a victim of Open Mic Productions.

MAKING HITS

He produced big hits for Open Mic Productions but alleges that he has not seen a cent. "I'm tired of keeping this to myself,' he says. In 2021, Sdala B says he moved from his hometown of KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga to seek greener pastures in Johannesburg. He thought working for Open Mic would be his big break. " I moved from home to Johannesburg to hustle for my family, knowing very well that I'm an orphan and that I must take care of my grandmother who raised me,' he says."I have worked hard and put all my efforts into the songs such as Zulu Ghanama, Khanyisa, 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.'

NOT A SINGLE CENT

Sdala says the company promised to make him a star. "They only shot one video and nothing for the rest. They also wanted to choose what I release and how I make our songs. Everything is just badly organised and they do not live up to their promises,' he says. "When it came to bookings, they wanted to take 30 percent and we couldn't agree.' Sdala B says he has not been paid for any of the work he has produced. "I never received even a single percentage of the money made from my sales, nor did I receive any royalties that were generated by all the songs that I made with the label,' he says. "My career is drowning today, yet I've made millions for people who never cared about me.' Sdala B adds that he watched people succeed in front of him while doing all of the work. "Their lives are changing before my eyes, and their families flourishing through my hard work. I have no money and I am now forced to start from scratch,' he says. "The hardest part is walking on the streets because all people now see me as a failed celebrity- a has been! I don't have a lawyer to fight for me,' he adds. "Open Mic set me back, destroyed my dreams and left me demotivated, but my faith is strong so I'm leaving it all to God.' Open Mic boss Lionel Jamela says they will not be commenting on the Sdala B matter.