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A storm in an empty pocket

KWAITO SINGER: Nkosinathi Mfeka, aka Mgarimbe. 05/04/07. Nkosinathi Mfeka aka Mgarimbe the singer of the controversial song "Sister Bethina" which was released on the black market before being released officially by the record company Ghetto Ruff. Pic: Muntu Vilakazi. 20/10/2006. © Sunday Times.
KWAITO SINGER: Nkosinathi Mfeka, aka Mgarimbe. 05/04/07. Nkosinathi Mfeka aka Mgarimbe the singer of the controversial song "Sister Bethina" which was released on the black market before being released officially by the record company Ghetto Ruff. Pic: Muntu Vilakazi. 20/10/2006. © Sunday Times.

Kwaito's man-of-the-moment, Mgarimbe's dispute with other musicians over the ownership of the hit song Sista Bethina is now hitting where it hurts most - in the pocket.

Kwaito's man-of-the-moment, Mgarimbe's dispute with other musicians over the ownership of the hit song Sista Bethina is now hitting where it hurts most - in the pocket.

Mgarimbe's Easter holiday gigs in Zimbabwe were cancelled after a second musician allegedly came forward claiming ownership of the song.

Last month musician Jabu Mngeni was declared by Mgarimbe's record company, Ghetto Ruff, as the real owner of the number after a long dispute over the controversial song.

Tabloid ink had hardly dried when DJ Big T entered the fray for the piece nominated for song of the year award in the South African Music Awards at the Sun City Superbowl next weekend.

Simba Madziwa, of music promotion company Simmad, said: " The South African promoter told us he would bring the real artist who first sang the song and kept on changing the goal posts."

Mpumi Phillips of Ghetto Ruff said: "First, this guy just called the office and asked for Mgarimbe's quotation. We never heard from him again.

"But now he has the audacity to tell the media he cancelled the show because of the ownership dispute over the song. It is unfair.

"Jabu is the brain behind the song. DJ Big T tried to fight with us recently over the song and lost because the Recording Industry of South Africa ruled in favour of us," she said.

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