Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small
Kelvin Momo, Kabza De Small & Babalwa M in Legal Dispute Over Royalties
A major rift has emerged within the Amapiano scene as Kelvin Momo and Kabza De Small find themselves in a legal battle over royalties from one of their most celebrated collaborations—now drawing in vocalist Babalwa M.
What started as a strong creative partnership under the Piano Hub umbrella has reportedly broken down into a dispute centered on unpaid earnings tied to a project released six years ago under Momo’s Private School banner. Once hailed as a defining body of work within Amapiano, the project is now at the heart of claims involving broken agreements and financial disagreements.
At the center of the issue is a reported R1 million claim, with Kelvin Momo (real name Thato Ledwaba) alleging he is owed compensation due to unpaid royalties and unmet contractual obligations. According to him, payments that were meant to be made biannually were never fulfilled, raising concerns about how funds were managed and distributed.
On the other side, Kabza De Small (Kabelo Motha) is said to dispute owing any royalties, setting up a direct conflict over both financial accountability and contractual clarity.
The situation becomes even more layered with Babalwa M stepping forward to claim her share for her contributions to the project. However, Kabza reportedly maintains that no formal agreement existed between him and the singer, challenging the basis of her claim.
Tensions have clearly escalated over time. While Momo is said to have received just over R86,000 in 2021, he argues that the amount falls significantly short of what he is owed—prompting further legal action.
The matter has now reportedly reached the Johannesburg High Court, turning what was once a powerful musical alliance into a full-blown legal confrontation.
Beyond the courtroom, the situation highlights deeper conversations around royalties, contracts, and artist rights within the Amapiano space—especially as the genre continues to grow globally.
What was once a celebrated collaboration is now a reminder that, behind the music, business matters just as much.
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