LISTEN | Nduduzo Makhathini weighs in on artists' contractual woes

There have been conversations about contractual disputes and record labels, especially recently after Makhadzi's battle with her former label Open Mic.

TshisaLIVE spoke to jazz maestro and UKZN music lecturer Nduduzo Makhathini on the subject. 

While the musician might have released seven albums as an independent artist under his label Gundu Entertainment, which he formed with his wife vocalist Omagugu Makhathini, he later signed with an American jazz record label owned by Universal Music Group, Blue Note Records.

“One way to aid those problems is to think critically about those contracts. I could say you can have a lawyer, but many people cannot afford lawyers if you start out as a musician. But there is so much information online about intellectual property. I would urge every musician to go out there and type in the word 'intellectual property/music business',” Nduduzo advised.

Listen to the audio below:

He said artists looking to pursue successful careers in the music business should empower themselves about intellectual property, and do research before getting into it. 

“You would be amazed at how you can empower yourself just from the internet, they have examples of contracts, things to look out for ... most people just get into the music ... we go study for four years ... there is an urgency for younger musicians that are talented and can make a song in a minute to equally empower themselves with intellectual property ideologies.”

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