Nairobi-based Congolese gospel musician Rigan Sarkozi has finally revealed the reasons he fell out with management label, Maliza Umasikini.
Sarkozi, who
recently
dropped two videos for his latest singles Sepela and Milele, says his exit from the label happened at a time he had already considered charting his own career path.
"We have worked well with everyone at Maliza Umasikini.
"I was helping in song-writing and we did a massive song Olalo with Papa Dennis but they back stabbed me," said Sarkozi.
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According to him, the organisation short-changed him on the ownership of
the Afrimma awards-nominated
Olalo, adding that the management got him arrested for asking about the issue.
He added, "I have since moved on. I still have the talent. They never took my voice or creativity.
"Out of the whole debacle, I was motivated to establish my own record label, RG Music, which will be aiming at catering for the less fortunate but talented artistes."
He says that his objective is to protect the
vulnerable
artistes from exploitation.
However, according Maliza Umasikini's CEO Sadat Muhindi, Sarkozi was never under the label's management but was a contracted worker under the label.
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He also said that Sarkozi was never short-changed over the copyright of the said song.
"Sarkozi used to work on contracted projects, such as directing, and get paid for services rendered.
"For Olalo, he is a co-owner with Papa, and so, his rights for the song are intact," he said on phone with Word Is.
He added, "If it's matters to do with revenue generated from the song, he should not be worried since we are yet to collect the royalties.
"If he is willing, he is free to go to MCSK and ask for his money. But we (Maliza Umaskini and Papa Dennis) will also be there for our rightful share."
In September this year, Sarkozi sent an apology letter to Sadat and Papa Dennis for his utterances.
The letter, shared with the media, read: “I want to openly apologise to Sadat and my younger brother Papa Dennis for openly calling them bad names among other things.
"I have resorted to move on and avoid making the same mistakes twice in the near future.
"When you become aware of your true value you become unstoppable hence watch out for my Sepela video which is coming out soon.”
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