Sautisol singer Bien has revealed that he turned down an invitation from the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) to collect his royalties due to the society's tendency to pay artists peanuts.
"The MCSK called me to pick up my cheque, but I told them that I know the amount of monies they distribute to artists, so I do not have the time to come and pick up Ksh.1500," Bien said.
During an interview on the Iko Nini Podcast, Bien revealed that the MCSK persuaded him several times to collect his payment, but he declined because they refused to tell him the exact amount he was going to be paid.
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“I asked the MCSK how much money they wanted me to collect to see whether it was worth my time, but they refused to disclose,” Bien said.
The sautisol singer claimed that the MCSK planned to use him for PR to claim that they pay artists.
“Mnataka kucome mnigeuze token mseme wasanii walilipwa, na in essence, mnajua hio collection ni chump change,” asserted the artist.
Bien stated that the solution to end paying peanuts to musicians is good leadership and that the society should be governed by persons who understand both administration and the music industry.
“The MSCK should be run by technocrats. People who know the music industry and the administration. That is the only way it can work,” noted Bien.
Bien also praised Hubert Nakitare, better known as Nonini, for speaking out against Collective Management Organisations (CMOS), especially the MCSK, for embezzling artists' funds.
