The South African music industry is home to many iconic artists whose contributions to the culture and entertainment world are undeniable.

However, the journey to success for many of these artists has often been marred by exploitation, unfair contracts, and a lack of proper support.

From shady record deals to unscrupulous managers, many musicians in South Africa have faced significant challenges behind the scenes.

In this article, we’ll look at 13 Mzansi musicians who suffered from exploitation during their careers and explore how they are living today.

Despite the hardships they endured, many of them have shown remarkable resilience and strength, paving the way for change in the industry.

Brenda Fassie

Exploitation: Abusive contracts and personal struggles

Known as the “Queen of African Pop,” Brenda Fassie was one of South Africa’s most beloved musicians, whose career was tragically marred by both personal demons and exploitation within the industry.

Brenda’s record deals often favored the label, with little regard for her well-being or financial security.

Additionally, her addiction struggles were widely publicized, and many critics claim that some individuals around her took advantage of her vulnerabilities.

Where is she now? Unfortunately, Brenda Fassie passed away in 2004, but her legacy remains a pivotal part of South African music history.

Her posthumous recognition, such as the Brenda Fassie Foundation, continues to honor her work and support aspiring artists.

Mshoza

Exploitation: Financial mismanagement and record label disputes

Mshoza, the “Kwaito Queen,” made a name for herself in the early 2000s with her breakthrough hits.

However, her rise to fame was tainted by exploitation, especially when it came to her finances.

Mshoza admitted in interviews that her early record deals were poorly structured, leaving her with little to no financial gain.

Despite the massive success of her music, she faced financial instability.

Where is she now? Mshoza passed away in 2020, but before her untimely death, she made significant strides to regain control of her finances.

She was actively seeking to re-establish herself and had been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures.

Zola 7

Exploitation: Financial struggles and mismanagement

Zola 7, known for his deep influence in the Kwaito and hip-hop scene, was one of South Africa’s most iconic musicians.

However, despite his fame and success, he suffered from severe financial mismanagement and exploitation from record labels.

Zola has openly spoken about how he was taken advantage of and was left with little to show for his contributions to the industry.

Where is he now? Zola has faced health challenges in recent years, but he continues to be an active figure in South African entertainment.

He has also shifted his focus towards acting and entrepreneurship, hoping to regain his financial independence and provide a better life for his children.

Lira

Exploitation: Unfair contracts

Lira is one of South Africa’s most internationally recognized musicians, known for her powerful voice and ability to blend jazz, soul, and pop.

However, in the earlier years of her career, Lira suffered from exploitation through unfair contracts that did not reflect her market value or the hard work she put in.

Where is she now? Lira eventually took control of her career by establishing her own label, enabling her to retain more control over her music and finances.

Today, she continues to enjoy success both locally and internationally, performing in high-profile events and collaborating with global artists.

Makhadzi

Exploitation: Unpaid performances and lack of contract transparency

The rising star in the Amapiano and Venda music scene, Makhadzi, has often spoken out about being exploited early in her career.

Despite her growing popularity, she was reportedly underpaid for many performances and had to work under unclear contract terms.

She faced situations where promoters took advantage of her, paying her far less than she deserved.

Where is she now? Today, Makhadzi has become a powerhouse in South African music, gaining recognition across Africa.

After dealing with past exploitation, she now manages her career independently and has reportedly negotiated better deals, ensuring she gets paid what she deserves.

Her rise to fame has been meteoric, and she continues to break barriers for female artists in Mzansi.

Kwesta

Exploitation: Unfavorable record deals and financial challenges

Kwesta, one of the biggest names in South African hip-hop, faced exploitation when he first entered the industry.

Early in his career, he signed a record deal that left him with little to no control over his work or earnings.

He’s openly admitted to struggling with financial mismanagement and unfair agreements with record labels.

Where is he now? Kwesta has since turned his career around.

He is now an independent artist, owning much of his music and ensuring his business affairs are handled more transparently.

His career has flourished with chart-topping albums, and he continues to remain a prominent figure in both hip-hop and mainstream music.

HHP (Hip Hop Pantsula)

Exploitation: Toxic industry politics and financial struggles

HHP, one of South Africa’s most influential hip-hop artists, battled with exploitation in the South African music industry, especially as he dealt with unfair contracts and the exploitation of his intellectual property.

Despite being one of the biggest stars in Mzansi, HHP faced financial instability due to poorly structured deals.

Where is he now? Tragically, HHP passed away in 2018, but his legacy continues to live on.

He remains an inspiration to aspiring musicians who face similar struggles.

HHP was also a vocal advocate for improving the industry’s treatment of artists.

Exploitation: Unclear financial arrangements and unfair deals

DJ Sbu, a well-known figure in the music and radio industries, is another artist who has publicly discussed being exploited in his earlier career.

Despite his extensive success as a DJ, entrepreneur, and record label owner, he faced numerous battles with unfair contracts and was often taken advantage of by people around him.

Where is he now? DJ Sbu continues to be a prominent figure, not just in music but also in business and motivational speaking.

He has built a successful brand, and his ventures now include his energy drink company, ambassadorships, and motivational speaking.

Thebe (Formerly known as Thebe)

Exploitation: Abusive management and stolen royalties

Thebe, an artist famous for his contributions to kwaito and hip-hop, was one of the most prominent figures in the late 90s and early 2000s.

However, he faced exploitation at the hands of his management and record labels, who took advantage of his young age and lack of knowledge about the music business.

He was reportedly denied royalties and exploited by his managers.

Where is he now? After years of struggling with the aftermath of bad contracts, Thebe has stepped out of the limelight and now works as an entrepreneur and consultant.

He has also advocated for better industry practices and artists’ rights.

Thandiswa Mazwai

Exploitation: Underpaid for her work

As a respected soul and jazz musician, Thandiswa Mazwai faced significant exploitation in her earlier career.

Despite critical acclaim, she was reportedly underpaid and received far less compensation than her male counterparts.

Thandiswa has spoken openly about the sexism and discrimination she experienced as a female artist in a male-dominated industry.

Where is she now? Thandiswa continues to thrive as an artist, using her platform to advocate for female empowerment and fair compensation for musicians.

She remains a key figure in South African music and has received numerous accolades for her work.

DJ Fresh

Exploitation: Unfair management contracts

DJ Fresh is one of the most well-known DJs in South Africa.

Early in his career, however, DJ Fresh was subject to exploitative contracts that were not in his favor.

These poor management and contractual agreements led to significant financial setbacks.

Where is he now? DJ Fresh has become a household name, not only as a DJ but also as a radio host and entrepreneur.

He now enjoys more control over his career and has been instrumental in helping other artists navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry.

Aka

Exploitation: Mismanagement and poor deals early in his career

Aka faced exploitation early in his career, when record deals and management arrangements were unfavorable.

Despite being one of South Africa’s biggest hip-hop stars, Aka struggled with financial mismanagement and contractual issues that affected his career early on.

Toya Delazy

Exploitation: Mismanagement of royalties

Toya Delazy, a talented pop musician, has been vocal about being exploited by her label in her early career.

She was reportedly denied royalties and suffered from the mismanagement of her financial earnings.

Where is she now? Toya Delazy has since freed herself from her label and is now an independent artist, having regained control over her music and her career.

She is also an advocate for artists’ rights and continues to make music on her own terms.

Conclusion: Empowering Mzansi’s Musicians

The stories of these Mzansi musicians who suffered exploitation highlight the ongoing need for reform in the South African music industry.

While many of these artists have faced hardships, they also serve as examples of resilience and empowerment, showing that even after exploitation, it’s possible to rebuild a career and take back control.

As the industry continues to evolve, it’s crucial that the exploitation of musicians becomes a thing of the past, and that the next generation of South African artists is given the support and fair treatment they deserve.