Since the departure of their making artist Makhadzi, Open Mic Productions has had to downgrade. They have downgraded from having an office full of staff members to shedding .

DOWNGRADING

This has meant that the company has let go of some of its valuable assets and staff members. A former employee says over five staff members have left. "They first let go of their publicist, Maphuthi Mathatho. Followed by their legal; representative and managing director, Nkateko Maluleke who dealt with all legal papers," the former employee says. 

LETTING GO OF STAFF

The company then let go of the Publicity and artist manager Brenden Thabiso who has since started his own label, titled Mgege Music. "They had no choice but to let go of people. This is also due to funds. They are not making as much as they did when Makhadzi was around. All her bookings are now going through the company," the former employee says. 

ARTISTS LEAVING

The company has also had to let go of artists such as Mapara Jazz who made the hit John Vul’ Gate hit. "After the hit, the artists were not making hits. They had moved to Jozi and now they are forced to go back home to Pretoria because things are not going well," he says. Prince Benza left the label added started his own company. "Master KG left long before the downgrade, and that also affected the business." Open Mic has since had new signees, such as Papa Penny whose music career has since picked up since joining the label. Open Mic could not be reached for comment.