West Ink Records artist Ndumiso “Madanon” Ndimande is facing serious allegations from a longtime friend and music collaborator, who claims the gqom star has been passing off his work as his own without any credit.
Sinethemba “Mreyza” Sibisi, a music composer and one of Madanon’s close associates since 2013, has come forward accusing the artist of using lyrics he wrote in multiple songs—without acknowledgement or compensation.
According to Sibisi, he was approached by Madanon on separate occasions and asked to contribute verses for various songs. But to his dismay, those same verses reportedly ended up in songs by other artists, with no mention of his involvement.
“He requested three verses for different songs, and I gave them to him,” Sibisi said.
“Then he pretended as if he owned the verses and sang them in other artists’ songs. For example, he used my verse in Babes Wodumo’s song Thobeka, another in Que’s People Are Burning, and one in DJ Bhunu’s Abangan Bam.”
While Sibisi says he initially had no issue with the verses being used, the lack of credit or royalties became a point of frustration.
“It’s actually theft of my intellectual property,” he said. “At no stage did he tell these artists that I was the composer of those verses. I’m aggrieved because this is my creativity, and I need to be paid for it. He performs these verses at gigs and gets paid for them while I get nothing.”
He added that Babes Wodumo, Que, and DJ Bhunu are likely unaware that they’ve been using lyrics written by someone else.
“I know they would’ve credited me if they knew. The least he [Madanon] could do is acknowledge my work so I can get my royalties.”
Although there was no written contract between the two, Sibisi claims there was an understanding that his contribution would be credited.
“I’ve tried reaching out to him, but he’s not responding to my calls or texts. He knows I’m angry. I just need him to be honest and tell the truth so I can rightfully get what’s due to me.”
The two artists first met over a decade ago at a friend’s studio, where Sibisi says Madanon was impressed by his lyrical skills and invited him to join his label, Team Phuzukufa.
“Back then, we were both underground. I had no idea he would turn around and exploit my talent,” Sibisi added.
