JL SA Speaks Out About Unpaid Royalties in South African Music Industry
South African music producer JL SA, born Jackson Motla, has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of unpaid royalties in the local music industry. This week, he took to social media to express frustration over not receiving payment for the 2023 viral hit “Hamba Juba,” a collaboration with Lady Amar, Murumba Pitch, and Cici.
JL SA revealed that he produced the track from scratch but has yet to earn a cent from its success. “Did you know that I made this beat? I’ve produced this song from scratch. This is my work. This is my own production, but I never got a cent from it. You can check,” he said while sharing the track online.
The song’s popularity underscores the scale of the lost earnings. “If you can check now on Spotify, the song is hitting like 23 million streams on Spotify only. The music video on YouTube has 32 million views. I have not counted the audio. My name is JL SA. I’m a South African. I love making music except that I don’t get paid for it,” he added.
Fans responded with questions about contracts and agreements. One user asked, “Why don’t you always ask before signing any contract?” JL SA explained, “I didn’t sign anything because there was nothing given to sign.” Another follower inquired about the initial agreement, and JL SA confirmed, “I was promised 50% of the song.”
This incident highlights a broader problem in the South African music industry, where producers, songwriters, and even performing artists often struggle to receive fair compensation for their work. Despite the rise of digital streaming and viral hits, many creators continue to face challenges in securing royalties, contracts, and proper recognition.
JL SA’s case adds to a growing list of musicians speaking out publicly about unpaid earnings, reflecting a need for stricter enforcement of royalty payments and clearer contractual agreements. As the industry continues to grow, calls for transparency and fair compensation are gaining momentum among local artists and fans alike.
