'Hamba Juba’ hitmakers speak out: millions of streams, yet no royalties received

It never ends: artists continue to speak out about unpaid royalties.

This week, producer JL SA, real name Jackson Motla, took to social media to express frustration over not being paid for the 2023 viral hit “Hamba Juba”, a collaboration with Lady Amar, Murumba Pitch and Cici. 

“Did you know that I made this beat?” he asked while playing the track. “I’ve produced this song from scratch. This is my work. This is my own production, but I never got a cent from it. You can check."

"And if you can check now on Spotify, the song is hitting on like 23 million streams on Spotify only. The music video on YouTube has 32 million views. I have not counted the audio. My name is JL SA. I’m a South African. I love making music except that I don’t get paid for it.”

Fans flooded the comments with questions. One user asked, “Why don’t you always ask before signing any contract?”

JL SA responded, “I didn’t sign anything because there was nothing given to sign.”

Another follower asked, “What was the deal from the get-go between you guys?”

“I was promised 50% of the song,” he responded.

The conversation quickly turned toward DJ Lady Amar, with fans tagging her and accusing her of withholding money.

Amar released a video asking people to stop insulting her. She said that it has been two years and that she has not received any form of payment.

Amar said that she has been quiet because she does not know how to speak for herself, and that maybe JL SA does. She said that this is the last time she is speaking about this issue.

Sannah Thwala, head of marketing and PR at The House of Thomm, which represents Cici, told “Independent Media Lifestyle”: “We are aware of the concerns raised by JL SA regarding the song ‘Hamba Juba’ and it is important to clarify that Cici herself has not received her share of the royalties for the song in question." 

"In addition, the House of Thomm, which owns 50% of the master, has also not received its agreed master share, despite a split sheet being signed by all parties involved prior to the release.”

Thwala added: “As per agreements, revenues from the song were to be distributed fairly among all collaborators. Unfortunately, this has not been the case, and the matter has already been referred to our legal representatives to ensure that all parties receive what is rightfully due to them."

"At this stage, the focus is on ensuring transparency and accountability in the handling of the royalties and resolving the matter through the proper legal and professional channels. We are awaiting a date for mediation from SAMRO for the resolution of the matter.”

When asked about payment arrangements and royalty tracking, Murumba Pitch’s management distanced itself from the dispute.

“Murumba Pitch is just a feature. Please kindly text the owners of the song,” they said.

 The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.