South Africa: 'I Just Want What's Owed to Me' - Producer in Copyright Battle Over Global Hit Song 'Jerusalema'

MasterKG/Instagram
Master KG's hit song Jerusalema becomes most-searched song (file photo).
31 July 2022
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)
analysis By Karabo Mafolo

Two music producers who worked on the global hit song, 'Jerusalema', are taking Master KG and his record label to court over alleged copyright infringement.

The hit song Jerusalema, which had people all over the world dancing to it, is embroiled in a legal battle as two music producers claim there were no contracts or clearance rights obtained from them.

In a statement, Limpopo-based music producer Ntimela Chris Chauke said: "That song gave hope through that big pain the world was experiencing [during lockdown]. I never wanted to tarnish that. It's my song. I love it. I just want what's owed to me. I don't like fighting and they know that, but this time I will stand up for what is right".

The other music producer involved in the legal matter is Presley Ledwaba, who is known as Biblos. According to the court papers, Ledwaba was sampled in the song where he says "eish" at least 114 times.

Making Jerusalema

It all started in 2019 when Master KG, real name Kgaogelo Moagi, asked Chauke to come to his studio to mix a few songs.

According to Chauke's statement, "that night he left me alone in the studio while he relaxed...

Read the full story on Daily Maverick.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2022 Daily Maverick. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.