{"id":22309,"date":"2026-02-08T18:24:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T16:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=22309"},"modified":"2026-02-08T18:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T16:24:17","slug":"unveiling-the-truth-dj-speedstas-struggle-with-music-royalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/unveiling-the-truth-dj-speedstas-struggle-with-music-royalties\/","title":{"rendered":"Unveiling the Truth: DJ Speedsta’s Struggle with Music Royalties"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DJ Speedsta Reveals the Tough Truth About Music Royalties: \u201cThere\u2019s No Money in Music.\u201d South African hip hop DJ and media figure DJ Speedsta has provided a stark overview of the financial challenges artists face regarding music royalties, highlighting how minimal many artists\u2019 earnings really are.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Unveiling<\/a>DJ Speedsta Reveals the Tough Truth About Music Royalties: \u201cThere\u2019s No Money in Music\u201d<\/figure>\n

In a recent episode of his podcast Up To Speed<\/em>, Speedsta, whose real name is Lesego Nkaiseng, spoke candidly about his experiences with royalty payments issued by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). Co-hosted with Fif_Laaa and Okayswisher, the podcast is emerging as a platform for honest discussions surrounding hip hop culture and the obstacles within the industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no money in music, hey. I\u2019ll keep it a buck with you,\u201d<\/em> Speedsta<\/a> shared during the show. He mentioned that within his DJ circle, discussions about SAMRO payouts have become a source of humor. Members often share their earnings, revealing amounts that are notably small. \u201cSomeone will say, \u2018I got R40,\u2019 another will say, \u2018I got R20.\u2019 Then DJ Tira comes in and says he got thousands, and everyone is shocked.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Although he has received multiple accolades as South African Hip Hop DJ of the Year and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over a decade, Speedsta expressed his disappointment with the financial climate. He admitted that he no longer bothers to check his SAMRO statements. \u201cSometimes they send you a statement saying they owe you R5. I got R5 from my catalogue,\u201d<\/em> he remarked.<\/p>\n

His observations echo the sentiments of numerous musicians throughout the country. Many artists question the benefit of registering their music when the ensuing payments are so negligible, even for commercially successful tracks. \u201cThat\u2019s why most artists feel like there\u2019s no point in doing the paperwork if you\u2019re going to get R5 from a hit song,\u201d<\/em> Speedsta noted.<\/p>\n

The problem of low royalty payouts has plagued SAMRO and similar organizations for years. Concerns over delayed payments, lack of clarity, and insufficient compensation based on usage or popularity have led to protests and public discourse within the music community.<\/p>\n

Launched in early 2026, Up To Speed<\/em> aims to shed light on these uncomfortable realities. During the episode, topics like the potential revival of the SA Hip Hop Awards and the significance of publishing rights were discussed, making Speedsta\u2019s comments on royalties a fitting part of the podcast’s agenda.<\/p>\n

While his statements might seem disheartening, they highlight a challenging aspect of South Africa’s music industry. For many artists, consistent income is more likely to come from live performances, brand partnerships, and other ventures rather than through royalties.<\/p>\n