The post DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of Music Royalties: “There’s No Money in Music” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of Music Royalties: “There’s No Money in Music.” South African hip hop DJ and media personality DJ Speedsta has offered a sobering look at the financial reality behind music royalties, revealing just how little many artists earn from their catalogues.
Speaking on his newly launched podcast Up To Speed, Speedsta, born Lesego Nkaiseng, did not sugarcoat his experience with royalty payments from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO). The podcast, co-hosted by Fif_Laaa and Okayswisher, is fast gaining attention for its unfiltered conversations around hip hop culture and industry challenges.
“There’s no money in music, hey. I’ll keep it a buck with you,” Speedsta said during the episode. He explained that among a DJ group he belongs to, SAMRO payouts have become a running joke. When members compare earnings, most report receiving laughably small amounts. “Someone will say, ‘I got R40,’ another will say, ‘I got R20.’ Then DJ Tira comes in and says he got thousands, and everyone is shocked.”
Despite being a multiple-time South African Hip Hop DJ of the Year winner and a key figure in the scene for over a decade, Speedsta admitted that the situation has left him disenchanted. He revealed that he no longer bothers opening his SAMRO statements. “Sometimes they send you a statement saying they owe you R5. I got R5 from my catalogue,” he said.
His comments reflect a frustration shared by many musicians across the country. Artists have long questioned the value of registering their work when the eventual payouts are so small, even for songs that achieve commercial success. “That’s why most artists feel like there’s no point in doing the paperwork if you’re going to get R5 from a hit song,” Speedsta added.
The issue of low royalty payments has followed SAMRO and other performing rights organisations for years. Complaints about delayed distributions, lack of transparency, and payments that do not match airplay or popularity have sparked protests and public debates within the industry.
Launched in early 2026, Up To Speed aims to give space to these uncomfortable truths. In the episode, they explored topics such as the possible return of the SA Hip Hop Awards and the importance of publishing rights, making Speedsta’s royalty revelations a natural and sobering extension of the podcast’s mission.
While his remarks may sound bleak, they underline a hard truth in South Africa’s music ecosystem. For many artists, sustainability still lies in live performances, brand partnerships, bookings, and side ventures rather than in passive royalty income.
The post DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of Music Royalties: “There’s No Money in Music” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of Music Royalties: “There’s No Money in Music” appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of Music Royalties: “There’s No Money in Music.” South African hip hop DJ and media personality DJ Speedsta has offered a sobering look at the financial reality behind music royalties, revealing just how little many artists earn from their catalogues. DJ Speedsta Lays Bare The Harsh Reality Of …
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