A storm is brewing in Malawi’s music industry as more artists voice frustration over the Copyright Society of Malawi’s (COSOMA) handling of royalties, accusing the body of favoritism, lack of transparency, and even self-enrichment.

Lilongwe-based female dancehall artist Kellie Devine Njuchi recently sparked debate after revealing that she received only K30,000 from COSOMA for her collaboration with Afro-pop star Driemo on the hit track Better, despite the song’s wide popularity as it has event surpassed 1.9 Million views on YouTube. She lamented that producers often make more money than the artists themselves, and that COSOMA mistakes musicians’ silence for consent. “Your producer is making more money on your song, while you, the artist, are given K30,000. Really guys? Are you serious?” N

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