Highlife musician KayBlez has disclosed that he has gone four years without receiving any royalties for his work, despite previously topping charts with songs such as Chocho Mucho. He revealed that this long-standing challenge has forced him to depend heavily on performances to sustain himself.
According to him, the royalty payment system has become unreliable over time, as he no longer receives the mandatory biannual disbursement meant for musicians. In earlier years when his music was at its peak, the amount issued to him was so insignificant that it made no meaningful financial impact.
To avoid being shortchanged, the musician now charges a fixed rate for every show he performs, refusing offers that do not align with his set fee. He indicated that weekly bookings help maintain his income, and additional revenue comes from streaming platforms and personal business ventures outside music.
KayBlez’s experience mirrors the frustrations of several Ghanaian artists who continue to express concerns over how royalties are managed. Issues such as delayed payments, lack of transparency, and inadequate distribution by the Ghana Music Rights Organization (GHAMRO) have remained recurring challenges in the industry.
