Malawian artists turn on each other over COSOMA

Photo: Award-winning Malawian singer and songwriter Theresa Phondo

Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) royalty dispute has taken a dramatic turn. Artists and creatives are now accusing each other of hypocrisy, cartel politics and speaking out only after falling out of favour with the system.

The latest fallout follows accusations that COSOMA ignored concerns over Blank Media Levy royalty distribution after a planned meeting on Wednesday failed to take place.

Questions have also been raised over why prominent artists with large local and international followings, including Miracle Chinga, Crispy Malawi and Theresa Phondo, were reportedly overlooked.

As criticism of COSOMA intensified, renowned X user Yesu (@tiidrotafrikka2) claimed the controversy exposed deeper problems within Malawi’s entertainment industry.

“The Malawian entertainment industry is cutthroat and has no mercy. There are cartels, circles and friends who don’t operate based on merit,” he wrote. Yesu alleged that artists who refuse to become “yes-men” are excluded from important conversations and opportunities.

He also questioned the motives of some of COSOMA‘s current critics. “I don’t like when some people’s interests are not served at a particular time, then they start making noise and pointing fingers, while all along they have been in bed with the system. I hate two-faced people; I hate hypocrites.”

Another commentator, Mafazala, expressed similar views in a lengthy Facebook post. He argued that the public should ask whether some of COSOMA’s loudest critics only changed their position after they stopped benefiting from the system.

“People should be careful about who they choose to follow in this COSOMA debate.” He added: “The public has every right to ask one question: What changed? The system, or your position in it?”

Mafazala claimed that some artists who now criticise COSOMA had previously defended the organisation after receiving substantial royalty payments.

He also alleged that musician Macelba had once described COSOMA as a good system before later becoming one of its strongest critics. Mafazala further argued that the industry had ignored artists who questioned COSOMA long before the current dispute.

He cited musician Namadingo, saying he challenged COSOMA and Airtel through legal action but was dismissed by fellow musicians and record label executives instead of being supported.

“If the fight is genuinely about transparency, fairness and accountability, then it deserves support regardless of who benefits.”

He concluded: “But if the outrage only appears when personal benefits disappear, the public is entitled to be sceptical.” COSOMA is yet to publish how it distrinbutes any loyalty to artists. Past artists to hjave raised issues against COSOMA include Keturah.