Music labels feud over singer

Afro-funk singer Zamajobe is embroiled in a feud with her music recording label, TMP. This follows the recent release of her third studio album, Trail Blazer.

Now, another giant music record label, Sony BMG, also claims the Ndawo Yami singer is still "very much" in its stable.

Though radio stations have taken to the new single Tomorrow , it has emerged that the musician had ''turned her back'' on the project.

The first signs that there were problems became apparent when the album was released without the singer's thank you notes on the album sleeve. Instead, it was written by her executive producer and recording label owner, Tumi Mokwena.

The Times has reliably learned that, apart from making ''ridiculous' financial demands, the singer ''hated'' the musical arrangements done by Professor Michael Campbell.

It is believed that Zamajobe was also not happy with her original producer, Vuyo Manyike.

He was soon replaced by Mpumi Dhlamini.

Dhlamini also had difficulty working with the singer, but was convinced to stay on.

Although Sony BMG says Zamajobe is still its artist, The Times has seen Zamajobe's contract. The initial period agreed on was from between January 18 2004 to January 18 2005.

The contract was later extended from June 29 2004 [witnessed by her late father Thembelihle Sithole] for four further periods of 18 months - from July 18 2006 to January 18 2011.

It appears that if Mokwena approached the singer while her contract with her previous label was in force, she would have been in breach of her contract, which prohibits her from recording music for ''any other party".

Mokwena said yesterday that when Zamajobe became aware that her contract with Sony BMG was about to expire, she approached his recording company and ultimately signed up with them in December for a 12-month period.

Mokwena speculates that the final product may not have received former SA Idols top 10 finalist because she "vowed" to make sure the label failed to recoup money spent on her latest album .

Zamajobe declined to comment yesterday and referred inquiries to Sony BMG's Maria Hadjidimitriadis, who said the company would release an official statement.