DJ Maphorisa shows off R8m royalty payout, says he pays artists and taxes

Amapiano producer DJ Maphorisa has offered a rare glimpse into the financial side of his music business by sharing a screen recording of his royalty transactions.

The music star, born Themba Sekowe, took to X (formerly Twitter) where he posted a screen record from his phone, revealing consistent royalty payments he makes as part of his music operations.

According to the post, the latest payout amounted to R8 million in royalties from NMG Music.

Captioning the clip, Maphorisa suggested that access to greater financial backing could significantly improve the state of the music industry.

“If Sony cud borrow me a billion mos definitely I will fix the industry 🤭,” he wrote.

The producer went on to acknowledge that he was revealing information he usually keeps private, but said the moment felt worth sharing.

“Things I shouldn’t reveal but f**k it, it feels good n it’s the second time I do this 🤗 last time was R5m,” he added.

Maphorisa used the post to give credit to the artists and producers he works with under the MNG Music umbrella, emphasising that the royalties are a result of collective effort rather than individual success.

“R8m payouts royalties from NMG music. S/o to everyone been a part of MNG artists and producers thank you ❤️ definitely making more music with u guys,” he wrote.

He also made a point of addressing a topic that often comes up in discussions around high-earning artists, stating plainly: “N I pay my taxes.”

The post quickly drew mixed reactions online.

While some social media users praised Maphorisa for being transparent about the financial realities of music ownership and royalties, others questioned whether such figures could create unnecessary tension in an industry already grappling with inequality and disputes over earnings.