“Ngud’” 10th Anniversary Sparks Public Royalty Dispute Between Nota & DJ Maphorisa

“Ngud’” 10th Anniversary Sparks Public Royalty Dispute Between Nota and DJ Maphorisa. A celebratory nod to a classic quickly turned into a fiery public showdown, as long-simmering tensions around royalties and sampling rights resurfaced in South Africa’s music industry.

What began as a simple anniversary post from veteran music executive Nota Baloyi reignited debate around one of local hip-hop’s most iconic records. Marking a decade since the release of “Ngud’”, Nota wrote, “Released Ngud’ 10years ago today…”, referencing the 2016 smash by Kwesta featuring Cassper Nyovest.

Produced by DJ Maphorisa, the song went on to become a cultural juggernaut. Its slowed-down house groove, infused with kwaito energy, dominated radio, clubs, and sales charts, earning its place among the most successful South African singles of its era.

The nostalgic moment did not last long.

DJ Maphorisa jumped into the replies with a sharp reminder of unresolved business, asking, “A u gonna pay me my Royalties Yoh been waiting 10years.” His comment echoed long-standing claims that he never received fair compensation for his production work on the hit, despite its lasting commercial success.

Nota responded swiftly and unapologetically, steering the conversation toward sampling and publishing rights. He accused Maphorisa of overlooking a critical detail, stating that the song sampled “Camino Del Sol” and that the original rights holders allegedly claimed full publishing. According to Nota, this left little to no backend revenue for the local producers. He added that similar situations had played out internationally and suggested that Maphorisa himself had not benefited from publishing royalties on major global hits tied to his name.

At the heart of the argument lies the song’s core sample, a slowed-down version of the Joakim remix of “Camino Del Sol,” a 1982 track by French-Belgian band Antena.

Nota also pointed to DJ Maphorisa’s involvement in Drake’s 2016 global hit “One Dance”, featuring Wizkid and Kyla, implying that similar royalty dynamics applied there as well. His comments suggested that international success does not always guarantee publishing payouts, especially when sampling and clearance agreements are involved.

While “Ngud’” remains a defining collaboration from the sessions that produced Kwesta’s DaKAR II album, its financial legacy continues to spark controversy. Neither Nota nor DJ Maphorisa has followed up since the initial back-and-forth.

As the song celebrates ten years of undeniable cultural impact, the public dispute serves as a sobering reminder that behind the anthems that move the nation, questions about ownership and payment often remain unresolved.