Ami Faku opens up about being exploited by record label
Award-winning singer Ami Faku is taking legal action against her manager, Raphael Benza, and his record label, Vth Season, accusing them of withholding royalties and failing to maintain transparency in their financial dealings.
The Imali hitmaker has approached the Johannesburg High Court, demanding that Benza disclose detailed accounting records and settle outstanding payments owed to her.
Faku claims she was taken advantage of as a young Black woman in the industry, pointing to what she describes as exploitative contracts and disorganized, incomplete royalty statements that left her earnings unclear.
“I was exploited as a young Black female artist,” she reportedly stated, highlighting how the financial reports provided were too disjointed to offer any real clarity.
Adding to her frustrations, Faku revealed she personally spent over R400,000 to produce her debut album Imali and is now seeking full ownership of its master recordings.
Beyond the financial dispute, she is also asking the court to dissolve all existing agreements with Benza and Vth Season, including her artist, management, and publishing contracts.
Faku’s legal battle also touches on a broader issue within the industry, as she accuses Benza of a troubling pattern of targeting young Black female artists for personal gain.
The case has sparked discussions about accountability and fairness in South Africa’s music scene.
