Ami Faku, an award-winning musician, has made a bold move against her former manager Raphael Benza and his label, Vth Session, by taking them to the high court for issues related to financial clarity and artistic independence.
Renowned for her collaborations with Black Coffee, Faku is pursuing a court order to completely void her contracts with Vth Session. She alleges that the management has hindered her career by claiming exclusive rights to her upcoming music.
TshisaLIVE reports that Faku is also seeking an interdict to prevent Benza and his company from stating publicly or to distribution firms that she is still bound by a 2018 artist agreement related to her work, including her album Ezikude.
In response, Benza, known for his management of the late rapper AKA, denies that he has exploited Faku.
Response from Vth Season Regarding Faku’s Claims
Vth Season is reportedly contesting her request, arguing that they have attempted to reach a settlement with Faku for over three years. Benza claims they offered her a chance to sign a no-cost settlement agreement, allowing her to part ways with them and pursue contracts with other labels.
“She could have been done with us in three years had she just released. Artists can be out of their agreements in two years; it just depends on how much music they release. It was up to her.”
Benza, who holds the position of Chief Opportunity Operator and Culture Architect at Vth Season, stated that they clearly communicated their intention not to continue working with her, suggesting that she reacted negatively to this decision.
He emphasized that they never instructed her not to release music and denied making any contacts that could hinder her career.
“I’ve never called any distribution company or told anyone who called me that they cannot sign Ami. I tell those who want to book her that I don’t work with her and share her contact number.”
Benza pointed out that their agreements do not specify a time limit, characterizing them as “artist-friendly” and stating that they remain valid as long as the artist continues to produce music.
