Open Mic Productions Accused of Paying Influencers R80 to Trash Makhadzi
South African production company Open Mic Productions is under fire after accusations emerged that they paid influencers R80 to trash musician Makhadzi on social media. The controversy began after Open Mic leaked a letter from its lawyer demanding an apology and retraction from Makhadzi over her claims that she never received payment for her album sales. In response, Open Mic alleged that they paid Makhadzi R8 million and R300,000 over three years.
The situation quickly escalated on social media, with Twitter users expressing outrage over the alleged use of paid influencers to attack Makhadzi. One influential user on Twitter, @AdvoBarryRoux, revealed that Open Mic was paying influencers to spread the R8 million statement and use the hashtag #8MillionMakhadzi. He tweeted: “Yerrrr! Open Mic is paying influencers R80 each to call Makhadzi a liar the whole day & use the hashtag #8MillionMakhadzi. From R100 promo to R80 promo 🤣”
The situation has raised concerns about the power of social media influencers and the ethics of paying them to promote or attack individuals or brands. Many Twitter users have criticized Open Mic for allegedly using paid influencers to manipulate public opinion and attack Makhadzi. Others have called for transparency and accountability in the influencer industry, arguing that paying influencers to promote or attack individuals or brands is unethical and undermines the integrity of social media.
The controversy has also highlighted the issue of payment and compensation in the music industry. Makhadzi’s claims that she never received payment for her album sales have sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of musicians and the exploitation of their labor. Some Twitter users have expressed solidarity with Makhadzi, arguing that she deserves fair compensation for her work and that Open Mic’s alleged attempts to attack her are unjust.
Open Mic Productions has not responded to the accusations of paying influencers to attack Makhadzi. However, the company has demanded that Makhadzi apologize on her social media platforms by Friday or face legal action. The situation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved.
South Africans on Twitter took the record label to the cleaners for paying people peanuts to soil Makhadzi.
Cijimpi:
“These influencers don’t see that they are being cheated by the open mic that’s trying to discredit Makhadzi ”
Kagiso:
“Proof that they underpay makhadzi, and now they are underpaying influences.”
Hulisani:
“People are hungry shem ”
Mokone:
“Poverty. They are done with artists. It’s now tweeps slaving for them. Nkosiyam.”
Hook Kaptain:
“What do you buy with R80 these days?”
Ms SthembiD:
“Open Mic will not get away with exploiting our queen. Not even those R80 influencers can get away with this”
In conclusion, the Makhadzi controversy has highlighted a range of issues, including the power of social media influencers, the ethics of paying influencers to promote or attack individuals or brands, and the treatment of musicians in the music industry. It has sparked a wider conversation about the need for transparency, accountability, and fair compensation in these industries, and it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed going forward.
