A decade after the release of the era-defining hit “Ngud’” by Kwesta featuring Cassper Nyovest, the celebration has been cut short by a public legal spat. Music producer DJ Maphorisa has chosen the song’s 10th anniversary to call out music executive Nota Baloyi, demanding unpaid royalties for his work on the track.
The exchange, which played out on X (formerly Twitter), has pulled back the curtain on the complex and often messy world of music publishing in South Africa.
The Anniversary Spark
The tension began when Nota Baloyi took to social media to celebrate his role in the song’s legacy, posting: “Released Ngud 10 years ago today.”
DJ Maphorisa was quick to respond, transforming the nostalgic moment into a financial demand:
“Are you gonna pay me my royalties, yoh been waiting 10 years,” Maphorisa fired back.
The “Sampling” Defense
Nota was quick to dismiss the claim, citing a common pitfall in music production: unauthorized sampling.
Nota argued that because the song sampled “Camino del Sol” by Antena, the original rights holders allegedly claimed 100% of the publishing rights. In the world of music law, if a sample is not cleared or if the original artists demand total ownership in exchange for the use of their work, the secondary producers (in this case, Maphorisa) often lose their claim to royalties.
Nota’s response was characteristically sharp, referencing Maphorisa’s lack of earnings on international hits like Drake’s One Dance: “You’re too young to forget you sampled Camino de Sol, and they claimed 100% of the publishing… Almost 10 years since One Dance, and you’re not even owed one cent on that.”
Why This Matters
The dispute highlights a major issue in the South African music industry:
- The “Sample” Trap: Producers often use samples that aren’t properly cleared, leading to “Copyright Claims” where all revenue is diverted to the original creator.
- Public Debt: The fact that industry titans are arguing over 10-year-old money on social media suggests a lack of formal arbitration in local music business circles.
