WCB sole proprietor, Diamond Platnumz has said that he has no regrets taking 60 percent of Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB) artistes revenue from each one of them signed under the label.
This is the reason as to why some of the Bongo Flava hit song makers such as Harmonize and Rayvanny have bought out their contracts to leave the label. Two weeks ago, singer Rayvanny left the label after paying a total of Tsh. 1 Billion (Kshs. 50 million) to buy out the remainder of his contract said to be at 10 years.
Rayvanny was reportedly disappointed with the label after 60 percent of his hit song ‘Te Qeiro’ went to Diamond who had no part in the song production. This ended his 6 years run with WCB.
In 2019, Harmonize was the first artiste to leave the label after a four-year stint. Harmonize forced his way out, igniting bad blood between him and Diamond. For his exit, Harmonize paid Tsh. 500 million (Sh. 25 million). Upon his exit, Harmonize went on a charm offensive accusing the WCB of continuing to be exploitative taking 60% of his revenues even when it had stopped funding his projects leaving him to cater for himself after he became established and famous.
Legendary bongo Flava producer, P Funk Majani was the first to call out the label for its exploitative nature.
“Harmonize left, Rayvanny has just left, Mbosso has never been denied his publishing rights as a songwriter, producers S2kizzy and Lizer Classic are neither recognized as composers of the projects they have created, where is their 50 percent? S2kizzy was denied a publishing advance by Sony Music hub because you guys forged the public registration of the songs he has produced.” P Funk claimed.
One of the WCB managers, Babu Tale responded to P Funk Majani saying that he was being naïve and petty.
“I wouldn’t want to engage someone who is considered a legend. But we have to be professionals, contracts between parties are private entities.” Tale stated
“When you see someone publicly analyzing contracts that he is not part of, then he is being naïve. Music is business and as such there are contractual obligations between parties agreed to it.” He added.
The talent manager and one of WCB’s Managers, Said Fella denied the exploitation claims.
“I am so disappointed with Majani’s comments, we have been together in this business for many years and he understands pretty well how this industry is. We indeed take 60% of the revenue generated by an artist but there is a reason behind that. When artists join WCB, they’re always a rookie with nothing.”
“We establish them. The 60% caters to the manager’s salaries, music promotions of these artists, audio and visual recording of their projects and tax too. The artist is left with 40% all for himself, so where is the problem in that.” Fella poses.
Diamond did not see any problem in taking the 60% claiming that when he took in the artists, they had nothing on their sleeves and were not well established. He believes it is only right to the bigger share of the millions that he invested in them, plus profits.
“Let’s get one thing right here, music is business. Those complaining we are exploiting artists seems to forget these artists were in other different labels but were not popular. We took them in, and molded them to a point where they were now marketable and able to generate good money unlike it was before.” Stated Diamond.
“WCB made them rich and famous and you hear them attest. There are no richer artists in Tanzania after me other than those from WCB. I did these by investing millions of my own money in them, but now when an artist is established, he wants to run away with the whole business.”
“I can’t allow that, I got to have my money back and profits too. When an artiste wants out, we ask for a buyout of the contract now it becomes a tussle. That’s when you start to hear those exploitative comments.” Diamond says.
Diamond claims that to kickstart both Harmonize’s and Rayvanny’s careers he spent well above Tsh. 600 million (Sh. 31 million)