The Music Copyright Society of Kenya has been forced to defend itself following an attack from Kenyan artistes and their fans after it was discovered that they offered Sh2,500 each to the musicians as royalties.
The outcry came after popular musicians Khaligraph Jones and King Kaka posted on their social media pages of their M-Pesa messages which showed they received Sh2,500 for their hard-earned work.
In a series of tweets which they later pulled down, MCSK said they distributed royalties to all their 13,967 members.
“It’s PPP distribution [Performance in Public Places] these are collections from public places for only two months,” MCSK said.
The organisation said it had not received a dime from any broadcasters who exploit music.
“We made a general distribution because if we strictly followed scientific distribution then 70% of the money collected will be paid to the international societies. We all know that Kenyan music receives little airplay. The figures you’d receive would be less,” reads the tweet.
Kenya’s top rapper Khaligraph Jones on Tuesday, took to Instagram to tell off MCSK over the small pay.
The Juu ya Ngori hitmaker even went further to give authorisation for his music to be pirated.
“MCSK Siku Moja Tutakuja Kuwavuruga uko Mbaya Sana, Msijaribu kunitumia izi peanuts tena. In fact, I have given authorization for my music to be pirated, Don’t collect money on my Behalf anymore, Nisiskie mmeshika mtu akicheza Wimbo zangu kwa street, msinitumie izo peanuts zenu tena, The OG shall be respected,” Khaligraph posted.
