By Rahim Abdul
Hip-hop artist IKK has called on the Malawi Government to investigate the leadership of the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) following concerns over the distribution of royalty payments to artists.
In a video shared on social media, IKK said he has made significant contributions to the growth of Malawi’s hip-hop industry and has helped promote the country’s music internationally.
The artist expressed disappointment after receiving only K4,000 in royalties from COSOMA, saying the amount does not reflect his contribution to the music industry.
According to IKK, the payment raises serious questions about how royalties are being collected and distributed to musicians across the country.
He has since urged the government to conduct an independent review of COSOMA’s leadership and operations to ensure transparency and fairness in royalty management.
Earlier on Wednesday, COSOMA issued a statement on its official Facebook page explaining that the organisation is not YouTube or Spotify and therefore uses a different system for collecting and distributing royalties.
The society further appealed to the public and rights holders to understand how its royalty distribution model works, saying the process is guided by established copyright regulations.
The exchange has sparked debate among musicians and members of the public, with many calling for greater transparency in the management of royalties for artists.
The issue has once again highlighted longstanding concerns within Malawi’s creative industry over how royalty payments are calculated and distributed to copyright holders.
Artists and other stakeholders are now expected to closely watch how COSOMA and relevant authorities respond to the concerns raised by IKK.
