Record label boss Lionel Jamela has hit back at claims by singer Nomcebo Zikode that she has not been paid a cent for her contribution to Master KG'S smash hit Jerusalema.
Both Zikode and Master KG, real name Kgaogelo Moagi, are signed to Jamela's record stable, Open Mic.
Jamela slammed Zikode in a statement issued to Sowetan on Sunday, saying Zikode had not signed the Featured Artist Agreement.
"We note the utterances made by our artist, Nomcebo Zikode, on social media in regard to payment for her featured artist role in the song Jerusalema by Master KG.
"Whilst we do not make a habit of discussing our artists' contractual matters in public, Nomcebo's utterances cannot be left uncorrected.
"The fact of the matter is that, since about the first half of 2020, royalties have indeed been accruing for Nomcebo in respect of her role as a featured artist on the song and this has been available for payment to her as way back as then," Jamela said.
"However, no payment has been made to her as yet because Nomcebo is yet to sign the Featured Artist Agreement that essentially records what was agreed between herself and Master KG prior to both of them going into the studio to record Jerusalema.
"This is the agreement that, among other things, set out what percentage of Master KG'S artist royalties is payable to Nomcebo for her role as featured artist in the song.
"The agreement was handed over to Nomcebo also in 2020 and in April this year she instructed her lawyers to review it, prior to her signing.
"Since then, there have been back-and-forth engagements between her lawyers and ours in this regard.
"These engagements remain ongoing and as soon as these are concluded and the agreement is signed by all parties, Nomcebo will be paid all her royalty monies, backdated to the first half of 2020.
"This position is very well known to Nomcebo."
Zikode released a statement on the matter on social media on Sunday morning in which she aired her grievances.