Maskal, Nde’feyo Entertainment part ways
End of the road. Celebrated and awarding winner Afro Pop artist, Maskal has finally parted ways with record label, Nde’feyo Entertainment, cutting short his three-year romance with the company.
Nde’feyo Entertainment in a statement made available to Nyasa Times says it has agreed to part ways with the artist in ‘good faith and shape’.
“Nde’feyo Entertainment wishes to announce that it has parted ways with musician Maskal (Masiye Kalso Kasaru). We (the company and the artist) have ended our contracted relationship by mutual agreement. As a label, we are proud of what we have achieved together and we wish him well in his future endeavors,” reads the statement in part.
The record label did not, however, disclose reasons behind dissolution of relationship with the artist who had remained with five months to his three-year contract with the entertainment company.
But in an interview, Maskal said he was the one who pulled out, arguing the record label has failed to meet its obligation in satisfying the contractual agreement.
“First of all it is me who parted ways with Nde’feyo not the other way round. The reasons are many as to why I decided to end the relationship with them. There are a lot of things we agreed in the contract they have failed to meet. I thought by now they will address my grievances by nothing has been done so far, so I decided to call it quit,” explained soft-spoken Maskal.
Among other reasons, Maskal said the company has not been paying his allowances since December last year and that the company has failed to explain how many copies his debut album, Nthawi and the DVD has sold.
“Since December I have not been paid my allowances and they still owe me some money for the shows I already did, and every time when I try to raise my concerns we argue. That makes me uncomfortable. As an artist I would like to work in an environment where I will be able to express myself.
“There are many times I have been paying the band, Madziko, which we use for performances instead of the record label doing that. And up to now I don’t know how many copies I have sold. How do you expect me to continue work with them when they could not explain how my album faired on the market?” wondered Maskal.
The Future
About his future as brand ambassador for Access Communications Limited, Maskal said he was still waiting hear more from the record label which facilitated the deal.
“I wrote them explaining my concerns and reasons why I decided to call it quit, and I thought they will respond instead they have decided to reply through a press release meaning they have agreed to my resignation. I accept that. I have been patient all along but I will expect them to tell the nation the truth of the matter,” he added.
However, in its statement, Nde’feyo Entertainment while affirming to be proud parting ways with it’s first signing, Maskal, it did not disclose reasons why the artist cut ties with the company. It only states that it will continue to scout and sign new talents as its part in contributing to the development of music and arts in Malawi.
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“At this point he (Maskal) has got new music out and we are also pleased to announce that recently we accepted an invite for the singer to appear at Ireland African Music Awards (IAMA) in Dublin, Ireland on September 7, 2012. And there is an impending Germany gig before the end of the year 2012,” further reads the release signed by the company’s directors, Ken Limwame and Khumbo Munthali.
Maskal who rose to the stardom with his hit songs Udalire, Ndiwe wanga and Wa CV featuring Piksy, was signed by Nde’feyo Entertainment in 2010 before the release of his debut album, Nthawi in the same year.
Meanwhile, the artist is working on his second project, Umunthu and has since released two singles including Usatope a Manganje tune which has started enjoying airplay on most radio stations.
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