SA record company Mabala makes a noise about its artists

Mabala last Friday welcomed new signee, R&B singer LeAnne Dlamini, to their stable. Dlamini’s signing coincides with the release of her single ‘Je t’aime’. Mabala also arranged a live broadcast at national radio station Metro FM with some of its biggest artists to promote their new releases.

Mabala later said on Twitter that 12 million people had tuned in for the broadcast, which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. The event drew raves from fans. “I think we broke a new South Africa record – what do you think @MbalulaFikile,” Mabala tweeted, addressing  the country’s Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula. 

Mbala’s head of communications Mhlo Gumede said the company was planning a similar event this week. “Last Friday’s event was a success... We wanted to connect to our artists’ fans in a different way. We wanted to feel they were also there, hence the livestreaming from YouTube and simulcast broadcasting,” he said in an email to Music In Africa.

“We will be going to Durban to do the same thing with Ukhozi FM this Friday. After that, we are having an after-party at Azar night club in Morningside. LeAnne is with Mabala Noise, she’s our latest addition. We are extremely excited to have her on board. She will be releasing a new, hot album early next year.”

The record company made waves earlier in the year after it signed a string of big names, including rappers Nasty C, Riky Rick and Gigi Lamayne. South African opposition politician Julius Malema later alleged that Mabala was politically tainted. Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Front (EFF), claimed that artists had been paid artists R5 million ($359,905) each to join Mabala and perform at political rallies of the ruling ANC party. Reggie Nkabinde, ANC Youth League leader and co-owner of Mabala, dismissed the accusations and Riky Rick took to Twitter to deny the claims.