MASERU — Afro-pop musician Sechaba Litabe, popularly known as Fatere, has dumped his South African label over what he says is lack of transparency.
Fatere said he was not going to renew his two-year contract with IP Music Recording Studio when it runs out in September.
His debut album, Ke Seoli, was recorded and distributed by the South African label.
But this week Fatere claimed IP Music Recording Studio could have misled him on copy sales.
“I am not going to renew the contract with them because I have lost trust in them,” Fatere said.
“After our contract ends in September I am definitely not going to renew it.”
Fatere said he believed his popular album had sold more than what the South African company has on its records.
“According to their records, which I do not trust, there were 1 400 CDs sold in June last year,” he said.
“Their sales numbers are totally different from the shop printouts that I got.”
Fatere said he had initially wanted to take legal action against the company but decided to let sleeping dogs lie and concentrate on his next project.
He could not say whether he had entered a deal or not with another recording company.
IP Music Recording Studio officials could not be reached for comment on Fatere’s allegations.
Meanwhile, gospel and afro-jazz artist Mosito Sentsó is hoping for a change of fortune after releasing his third album earlier this month.
Sentsó’s first two releases flopped.
Tsépo ea Ka (My Hope), Sentsó’s new 10-track album, was launched in Maseru at a function attended by well-known South African afro-jazz musician Johnny Mokhali.
Hundred CDs were given out free of charge at the launch.
Sentsó said since then he has been receiving inquiries about the album, a development he sees as a sign of good times to come.
“Tsépo ea Ka is in a high demand,” Sentsó told the Lesotho Times.
“No single day passes without receiving a call from somebody wanting a copy.”
Sentsó said he was praying hard that the new album performs well in the market unlike his first two projects.
“I am praying hard that people are not only excited about my album because it was given freely at the launch,” he said.
“I hope these many phone calls are a good sign for my music, especially after what I went through with the first two albums.”
