JOHANNESBURG — Award-winning South African singer Cici has officially spoken out amid the ongoing royalty dispute surrounding the 2023 chart-topping hit “Hamba Juba.” The drama, which has involved several artists and producers who contributed to the viral track, took a new turn this week when Cici released a formal legal statement confirming that she too has not received her rightful share of royalties.
With millions of streams on Spotify and countless views on YouTube, Hamba Juba has become one of the most recognizable tracks in recent memory. However, its success has been overshadowed by a growing controversy that raises serious questions about royalty transparency, artist compensation, and contractual obligations within the South African music industry.
Cici Confirms Non-Payment Despite Signed Agreements
Taking to Instagram, Cici shared a letter from her legal representatives, making it clear that she has yet to be paid for her contributions to Hamba Juba. The statement confirms that although a split sheet agreement—a document that outlines how royalties should be divided among contributors—was signed, no payments have been received.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it is placed on record that our clients have not, to date, been placed in receipt of their rightful and proportionate royalty and master share entitlements arising from the aforesaid work,” the legal letter reads.
The letter goes on to warn that legal action may be imminent if the matter is not resolved. It also confirms that Cici’s legal team is now in direct communication with SAMRO (South African Music Rights Organisation) and other relevant bodies to seek redress.
This revelation has sparked even more public interest in a story that has been unfolding since earlier this year—and it’s not just Cici who’s sounding the alarm.
The controversy first began when producer JL SA, real name Jackson Motla, came forward on social media to claim that he had not received any royalties from Hamba Juba despite his work on the track.
Not long after, DJ and producer Lady Amar added her voice to the conversation, stating that she too had been left unpaid. At the time, fans and followers were shocked that contributors to such a widely successful hit could be excluded from earnings.
Now, with Cici—arguably the most prominent name on the song—coming forward with similar claims, public scrutiny is intensifying.
Music industry experts say that disputes over royalties are not uncommon, but the high-profile nature of this case is bringing much-needed attention to issues that often remain behind closed doors.
Entertainment attorney Lebo Molefe commented on the situation:
“What we’re seeing here is a breakdown in the implementation of contracts, and that can have long-term implications not just for the artists involved, but for trust in the music business as a whole.”
Molefe added that split sheet agreements are standard practice in collaborative projects and that non-compliance with these documents can result in serious legal consequences, especially when the financial stakes are high.
Since Cici posted the legal statement, fans have flooded her social media pages with messages of support. Many applauded her for speaking up and standing firm in demanding what is rightfully hers.
“Artists like Cici deserve every cent they worked for. If she can’t get paid, what hope is there for up-and-coming talent?” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Others have called for greater transparency and regulation in the South African music industry, urging SAMRO and other stakeholders to tighten oversight of royalty distributions and contract enforcement.
At this stage, it remains unclear how or when the Hamba Juba royalty issue will be resolved. With legal teams now involved, the matter could take months to settle, possibly even ending up in court if a fair resolution isn’t reached through negotiation or mediation.
For Cici, the fight for justice is about more than just money. It’s a stand for artist rights, fair treatment, and the enforcement of legal agreements in a rapidly evolving music landscape.
As she continues to push for what she’s owed, many believe this case could serve as a watershed moment for the South African music industry, one that exposes deep-rooted issues and forces lasting change.
“I’m not the only one,” Cici hinted in a follow-up post, suggesting that more artists may still come forward with similar grievances related to Hamba Juba and other projects.
Source- Fakaza
