Piksy, Ndefeyo part ways

What was termed as a great relationship in the world of Malawi’s urban music, has changed after musician Piksy (Evance Zangazanga) opted to get out of his relationship with his managers Nde’feyo Entertainment.

Both the artist and the management company confirmed the split in separate interviews.

“Yes, I resigned. From yesterday [Sunday] I am a standalone artist,” said Piksy.

He explained that the reasons he quit were to do with the management company not honouring most of the contract.

“The contract said three years, two albums and 2 DVDs. Three years is ending February next year…one album and still no DVD.

“The contract was there but 70 percent of the things were not honoured,” said the rhymester.

He said he was not willing to reveal further what made him leave the music management company.

In his words, Khumbo Munthali of Nde’feyo said: “We are very reluctant to talk about our internal dealings and contractual issues in the public. We can confirm that Piksy expressed his wish to leave Nde’feyo, but as it is, guided by our contract, that will be after it expires next year.”

However, the artist believes he is able to leave from the company when he is dissatisfied with terms in the contract.

“The Nde’feyo contract doesn’t have an exit clause, so it means I can resign whenever I feel the contract is not being honoured,” he said.

Munthali, however, noted there is a substantial amount of investment (by money judgment and otherwise) that happens to build an artist of the stature of Piksy. He could not point out one thing which makes artists leave, although, he said he hopes Piksy is not acting out of greed.

“Our agreements with artists are not open-ended; so while we part with some, we maintain others and also sign new ones. We just make sure that the company’s interests are protected by the contracts we have in place. In the case of Piksy, he declined to tell us why he wished he could leave. So we cannot speculate. We only hope that looking back this won’t be a tale of greed, misguidance and ungratefulness,” said Munthali.

He however skirted around the issue that there is no exit clause in the contract they signed with Piksy.

“Again, we cannot discuss the nature and nitty-gritty of our contracts with artists in the public,” he said.

Piksy entered into a contract with Nde’feyo in February 2011 and consequently managed to produce his solo album Maso which became a hit the month it was released. He has since managed to clinch a deal as Airtel ambassador.

According to Nde’feyo proceeds from Maso will always be shared as guided by their contract with the artist.

Nde’feyo currently has 10 artists in its stable and according to Munthali: “We always sign artists, but we unveil them when time is ripe.”