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Local musicians furious over Africell’s “Fun Ring Exploition”..But not all of them!
Home » News  »  Local musicians furious over Africell’s “Fun Ring Exploition”..But not all of them!
Local musicians furious over Africell’s “Fun Ring Exploition”..But not all of them!

Some of our local musicians said they are getting sick and tired with Africell’s greed and exploitation.  According to them, the mobile telecommunications company is refusing to share the revenue from the sale of their songs as fun ringtones. 

The fun ringtones are very popular among young subscribes.  It’s the music that callers hear when they call you and are waiting for you to answer. 

Breaking it down for our reporter, leading rapper Gee said: “Let’s say it’s just 1000 subscribers for my song (s).  That is 50 bututs from each, every day and the total is D500. Then 365 multiply by D500 and then multiply by 3 (3-years) …that’s the amount they owe me.” 

Some musicians vowed to drag Africell to court, but according to a music industry pundit, the chances of them winning are very slim. The mobile telecommunications company has reportedly protected itself from copyright and loyalties complaints. An Africell insider said: “I know all the artists that are affiliated with Africell agreed to a contractual agreement, some of it is to support them in their shows and albums.” 

Our reporter contacted one of Africell’s managers, Biagi Tunkara but he refused to comment saying: “I'll need approval from the company before I can release any information in regards to my work.” 

Below we bring the reaction from the different musicians: 

Gee 

Yet still AFRICELL has been using my music for years now. Even if it’s a few 100 subscribers ya'll charge 50bututs everyday... even if I wanted my own song as fun ring I’m still getting charged for it. 

The worst part is I still buy at least D100 credit a day or sometimes even more .. means I give these guys almost D40, 000 every single year.. 

What do they give back? Some lousy-ass promo which they already have their targets every once in a while. 

Killa Ace (Prince Ali) 

Somehow I can't blame Africell, if artists agree to have their songs as a fun ring knowing dat they ain't getting paid nothing from it then it’s their fault. Artists are not forced to do so. I remember back in 2011, after I dropped my mixtape , they approached me to have my songs as a fun ring, I responded by telling them yes only if I'm getting ATLEAST 20 bututs per subscriber, per day. I didn't agree and till this day you will never hear my songs despite the high demands by fans. I never cared about da promotional strategy used to convince me. Maybe if all other artists did da same then it would have been a different story. 

Manding Morry 

I personally Africell never did s***t for me and they charge me for my own songs as fun ring and sometimes minus me, funny Africell. Who gave you the right to put my songs as fun ring? I don’t want to call names but I’ve talk to the people in charge, all they say is we working on how to call you for a meeting. Lol meeting for what? 

Migthy Joe 

We all need to come together and make a stop to such act yo...africell put ya song on their fun ring without even ya consent...all ma songs will be removed from their fun ring immediately...if not am gone take a serious move on this issue...set an example to africell fellows, let them go make money from there customerz but not us... 


Trobul Smallz 

We knew this ever since, but some of us don’t understand it. I remember I was given the contract to sign, Flex Forte was there with me, but we thought it was not on our favor so we rejected the offer …. so this is us we just need to rebel against it and make a better change for us all.. UNITED WE STAND TALL... 

Enc Di Real 

Like seriously, music is business and it’s high time to put our mutual interests at the beginning of every profitable thing that's in connection with our material or data as artists. Africell if y'all can consider this can bring a better image out of the whole painting  

They are ungrateful 

An artist, who wants to remain anonymous, blasted his colleagues for being ungrateful.  He told our reporter: “I cannot understand all this unnecessary noise they making. They’re just angry because Africell turned their proposals for sponsorship. Africell has been using their music for many years and they never complained.  For me I have nothing to say against Africell, because they supported me to release an album.” 

Another young artist said: “I’m sure they will regret it. Sometimes, it’s good to think carefully before you talk. Africell have spent a lot to support the improvement of the Gambian music industry.” 

Some of the artists that are yet to comment, on the alleged Africell exploitation,  include; Dr. Olugander, Singateh, Jalex, Pa Omar Jack, Rugie, Yusupha Ngum, Cess Ngum, Jali Madi, Bro K and Brain Kracka. 

 

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