By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
UK-based Zimbabwean rapper Desmond “Stunner” Chideme has publicly criticised the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), accusing the organisation of paying artists “peanuts” after reports that gospel artist Sabastian Magacha received just US$120 for a year’s worth of radio airplay and digital streams.
Stunner’s comments came in a viral social media post ahead of ZIMURA’s board elections, in which sixteen candidates are contesting places on the organisation’s governing body.
He questioned the role and effectiveness of those seeking office and demanded greater accountability.
“With these elections that you want to hold for new board members, what exactly is their job?” Stunner asked in the post.
He said the board appears disconnected from the everyday struggles of musicians, pointing to incidents where performers were not paid for gigs.
Stunner also called for financial transparency and an audit of royalties collected from businesses such as supermarkets, shows and food courts.
He provided a simple breakdown to illustrate his point, saying that with plays paid at roughly 75 US cents and distribution across about 17 radio stations, the average artist is still only receiving between US$50 and US$150 a year.
He described the situation bluntly, “You collect money from supermarkets, shows, food courts, and other establishments… Artists are struggling to earn US$200 a year?”
He said in Shona, translated by his post, “Takafirwa and no one came to aid… mota nemari dzamunopanana ndedzei?” (We were bereaved and no one came to our aid… The cars and money you share amongst yourselves, where do they come from?) and warned, “Regerai vakomana, umwe anokuvara” (Leave it, guys, someone is going to get hurt).
The revelation about Sabastian Magacha that he received only US$120 for a year’s airplay and streams has provoked fresh debate in the local music community about royalty distribution and the effectiveness of rights-collection mechanisms.
ZIMURA is due to hold elections for a new board of directors, a process now being watched closely by artists and stakeholders who want clearer reporting and fairer payouts.
Stunner’s intervention adds pressure on the association to respond and explain how collected revenues are allocated.
Neither ZIMURA nor the candidates for the new board had issued a public response to Stunner’s post at the time of publication.