ARTICLE DATE: 18/08/2015
MOSES TAKES LEGENDARY MUSICIANS TO KANANA
Airco “Association of Independent Record Companies”
Airco Legendary Artist Briefing Meeting
Press Release
AIRCO, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MOSES “DODO MONAMODI, BECOMES MOSES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC INDUSTRY LEADING OUR LEGENDARY ARTISTS AND INDEPENDENT RECORD COMPANIES TO THE PROMISED LAND OF MILK AND HONEY BY COLLECTING OVER R19 MILLION OF ROYALTIES FROM SABC IN THE PAST 3 YEARS.
During a meeting held at Airco offices in Auckland Park on the 18 August 2015 the following legendary artist were seen in the association’s boardroom to check if any of their names appeared on the latest royalty list and to insure if they will ever have the opportunity to earn even a cent from their hit music of the 80's:
Vusi Shange; “Oom” Alec Khaoli; Babsy Mlangeni; Neo Maphaka; Patrick Mthimkhulu; Molatelo Mathae; Thuthukani Cele; Condry Ziqubu; Dan Nkosi; Stephen Tsie; Sydney Mogopodi; Phumi Maduna and many more
The artist met with Moses “Dodo” Monamodi chairperson of Airco to discuss the overwhelming progress brought forth to them by Airco in collection of the artists and producers wealth created over years. A list of due to pay-out royalties which have been collected by Airco was handed over to this group of artists whom where requested to double check if their names were on the list collected to date, the artists whose names appear instantly will receive their royalties paid-out as collected from 2010 to 2014. The list included artists such as Pitch Black Afro, AKA, Pro Kid, Dj Black Coffee, Arthur Mafokate and many more.
Over the past decade's Major Record labels denied artists and independent record companies ownership to their visual material royalties, protected by the fact that the major record companies commissioned the artists’ work. AIRCO "Association of Independent Record Companies" became a hero of the South African music industry when they signed an agreement with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in 2012 to collect and distribute cinematography royalties (music video royalties) for its members and non-members. Further, Mr Monamodi revealed that over and above the music video royalties, the association has been accredited by the Department of Trade and Industries (Dti) to collect and distribute needletime royalties. AIRCO is the first black collecting society accredited since the inception of the South African music industry. The success to be accredited for needletime is attributed to AIRCO’s unprecedented distribution and reporting record of music royalties distributed since 2012. Mr Monamodi confirm that the association have collected over R19 million in royalties for visuals used in 2012 to 2014 and has since started distributing royalties to rightful owners, from the deepest remote rural areas up to the urban areas of South Africa.
Artist Babsy Mlangeni certifies the claim by confirming he has received his visual royalties collected by Airco and he is due for his second payment, Airco is proving to be the best royalty collection agency so far in my case as one of the oldest generation of musicians: Says Babsy Mlangeni. Artist Phumi Maduna of the group "Cheek to Cheek" pleaded with the South African music industry to take good care of the legendary artist whilst they alive, it is unnecessary to bury us with expensive caskets worth over R12 000 but we are hungry now and we are alive: She Said. Artist Condry Ziqubu of the hit single "Skorokoro" said: as parents we need associations such as Airco to help us get our broadcasters to bring back shows such as "Lapologa" in order to unearth real talent just as they did with us, we also need channels such as SABC ENCORE to bring back our music so we can continue to earn royalties from our old material, this is at least what we can continue living from.
Mr Dodo “Ntate Moruti” Monamodi says that the association is currently in discussions with the SABC and other broadcasters about music video royalties accrued before 2010, to ensure that legendary artists whose music was played most in the 80’s and early 90’s are paid retrospectively. He stressed that even when negotiating with users for the needletime royalty the same principle will apply. AIRCO Trust has established an Independent Music Performers Association (IMPRA) to administer, collect and distribute needletime royalty on behalf of performers and producers. We will always endeavors to radically transform the ills of the past where producers where only the one who benefited the copyrights ownership and neglected the performers. Without out fear or favor we will level the playing field: says the Moses of Airco.