Ami Faku fights for control of her music catalogue Award-winning singer-songwriter Ami Faku born Amanda Faku has turned to the Johannesburg High Court in a bid to stop music executive Raphael Benza and his company, The Vth Season, from allegedly interfering with the release and distribution of her music while a broader contractual dispute remains before the courts. The "Asibe Happy" hitmaker has filed an urgent application seeking an interim interdict against Benza and his company, arguing that their conduct is causing significant harm to her career and preventing her from fully commercialising her latest work. According to court papers, Ami wants the court to bar The Vth Season from claiming exclusive rights to her music catalogue and from communicating with distributors and publishers in a manner that could discourage them from doing business with her. Ami claims that several major industry players, including music distributors and publishers, have been warned that she remains contractually tied to agreements signed with The Vth Season in 2018. She alleges these communications have created uncertainty around her music rights and affected plans to release her latest projects, including her album Ezikude and the single Ndisize. "The conduct has made it increasingly difficult for me to secure distribution partners for my music," she stated in her affidavit. At the heart of the dispute are artist, publishing and management agreements signed eight years ago. Ami maintains that the artist and management agreements have already expired, while the publishing agreement was lawfully terminated in 2025 after what she describes as repeated failures by The Vth Season to provide royalty statements, financial records and payments owed to her. She argues that despite launching legal proceedings last year to obtain clarity on the status of the agreements, the matter has not yet been finalised. Benza and The Vth Season strongly reject Ami's claims and insist that the agreements remain binding and enforceable. One of the key points of contention relates to whether Ami fulfilled all her obligations under the artist agreement. The Vth Season argues that the contract remains active because a second album required under the deal was never delivered. Ami disputes that interpretation, arguing that the agreement cannot be extended indefinitely on that basis. She further alleges that distributors who initially showed interest in working with her later became reluctant after concerns were raised about possible legal action and ownership disputes surrounding her music. "The delays are causing ongoing damage to my career and livelihood," she argues. The urgent application is expected to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court on 30 June. Reports state that Benza and The Vth Season will oppose the application and that a settlement proposal had previously been presented to Ami but declined to disclose its contents. buzzlifenews.com

Kozo Zwane gave us a beautiful single.

the confusion between love and lust in the gay community? lmao.

31 years ago today, Björk released ‘Post.’

date cancelled braz uyi barb 🫩

Tears in every eye.

Dear artists Remember, you are the guide to a big creation❤️

i truly wish that xl is living his best life and is happy and healthy bc bby those scenes were historic black gay cinema!

Ty Santana just does it for me