Sbu wants to protect artists

After announcing that TS Records will hand over ProKid’s masters to his family last week‚ DJ Sbu has sparked a conversation on social media about artists dying “poor” and how their children are often left destitute‚ despite having had famous and “rich” parents.

“Artists work all their lives and then after they die they have nothing to show for their hard work. This should be the last thing that happens to artists because art never expires.

“Ten years after you record a song‚ for example, it is still something that should be making you money. This is why it is ridiculous that artists ‘die poor’ or leave their children with nothing‚” Sbu said.

The entrepreneur explained that the norm for artists to have nothing to leave for their children was something that could be changed. He gave an example with Rob Mally‚ the late Robbie Malinga’s son, and his interest in entertainment.

“Robbie Malinga junior, for example, already has an interest in this industry, and what is nice about Robbie Malinga is the fact that he owned his music catalogue. We know at some point he will want to do things with his father’s legacy‚ his music.”

Sbu said the problem began a long time ago with the kind of deals major record labels offered. He said the deals were always more beneficial to one party over the other.

DJ Sbu said generational wealth required parents to plan with their children in mind.

The DJ‚ who is raising a daughter‚ said he hoped for his child to have a starting point should she ever show interest in music when she’s older.

“The most likely thing is our children will fall in love with the art and they will be educated enough at some point to want to capitalise on the art of their parents. You‚ know to exploit the music however they want to. They should be able to do that‚ to have a jump start or at least a starting point that comes from the artist the father or mother was.”

Ten years after you record a song‚ for example, it is still something that should be making you money