Ami Faku Demands Music Ownership

South African Afro-soul singer Ami Faku has launched an urgent high court application against her former management and publishing partners, Benza Consulting CC, trading as The Vth Season, and its director Raphael Benza.

Faku is seeking to block Benza and his company from interfering with her career after they allegedly claimed exclusive rights over her new releases, including her album Ezikude and single Ndisize. The dispute has been brewing for years. In 2025, Faku filed papers in the Johannesburg High Court alleging unpaid royalties, incomplete royalty reports, and systemic exploitation of young Black female artists through unfair contracts. She also claimed personal investment of over R400,000 into producing her debut album Imali and sought ownership of its master recordings.

Benza has pushed back strongly. “We are opposing it on the grounds that we’ve been trying to settle with Ami for a long time. We told her we don’t want to work with her. Her ego burst and she went on this rampage,” he said. 

He added: “She just has to sign a settlement agreement that says that she is a free agent and cannot come back to The Vth Season with any claims. Then she is free to release with whomever. That’s always been our stance.” 

Faku, born 28 May 1993 in Gqeberha, rose to national prominence through The Voice SA in 2017 before signing with Vth Season. Her team declined to comment on the latest proceedings.

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