Malawian musician ProVoice, known for his chart-topping hit “Tunduma”, has expressed outrage over the paltry royalties he received from the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) for the 2021-2022 period. Despite his song’s massive success and widespread airplay, ProVoice was paid a mere 6,000 Malawi Kwacha (approximately $7.50 USD) by the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, and nothing from private radio stations.
In an open letter, Knock It Music Group, representing ProVoice, slammed COSOMA for its “deeply flawed” royalty distribution system, calling for urgent reform to ensure fair compensation for local musicians. The letter demands a thorough investigation and immediate action to rectify the situation, warning that the current system threatens to discourage and demoralize Malawian artists.
ProVoice’s case highlights the struggles faced by local musicians in securing fair royalties for their work. The issue has sparked concerns about COSOMA’s effectiveness in protecting artists’ rights and its commitment to supporting the Malawian creative industry. As the regulatory body responsible for overseeing royalty payments, COSOMA must now respond to the allegations and take decisive action to address the grievances of ProVoice and other affected artists.