Uncle Waffles Accused Of Trying To Undervalue Young Musician OHP Sage’s Contributions

In a recent controversy, Amapiano star Uncle Waffles is facing accusations of attempting to undervalue the contributions of young musician OHP Sage to their hit track “Wadibusa.” The track, which has achieved viral success on social media and garnered over 10 million streams on Spotify, is at the center of a dispute over compensation and rights.

According to sources close to the situation, Uncle Waffles reportedly offered OHP Sage a mere R16 000 (US$894) in exchange for relinquishing all rights to the track. This offer has been met with criticism from Sage’s camp, who argue that the young artist’s substantial contribution to the song’s success is being grossly undervalued.

The source, who spoke to Zimoja, emphasized Sage’s pivotal role in the track’s success. “He is the star behind the song. He made the hit what it is today. It’s his vocals and his brilliant songwriting,” the insider stated. They pointed out that Sage’s performance of the song’s hook was crucial to its widespread appeal.

The source further revealed that Uncle Waffles and her team might have exploited Sage’s inexperience. “He is a kid; he is only interested in making great music and performing. He doesn’t know much about the business side of music, and people seem to take advantage of that,” they said. Sage, described as enthusiastic about collaborating with Waffles, reportedly did not discuss contractual details beforehand, assuming his label would handle the business aspects.

Phillip Makhate, head of Makhate’s Productions, Sage’s record label, confirmed that the offer was rejected. “They initially sent a contract to waive rights to the song, and that was strongly rejected. We asked the team to do the right thing before the song can be removed from all streaming platforms,” Makhate explained. He clarified that Sage is still entitled to royalties from both the master recording and publishing for “Wadibusa.”

In response to the ongoing situation, OHP Sage, who is currently promoting his single “Dlala Ntwana Yam,” stated that his label is handling the matter. “I think that was the case in the beginning, but the label is resolving everything. I am good with everyone,” Sage said, reflecting a positive outlook despite the dispute.

As the situation unfolds, it underscores the importance of clear contractual agreements and fair compensation in the music industry, particularly for emerging artists navigating the complexities of their careers.