Sidney Mogopodi learns the hard way

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday December 7, 2010 00:00

Well some have managed to get both, but for others fame has turned out to be a nightmare, as they no longer have any private time.  But is that not better than someone who turns out to be a 'famous pauper'?

By his own admission, Sidney Mogopodi, the popular South African musician made famous by his 1989 track Mama's Babe, is amongst the 'famous paupers'.

'We become big names overnight and die paupers and unfortunately some people do not understand this.  For instance someone would meet me at a shopping mall and would be excited and even take photos of me and try to take me half way to the parking lot, hoping to see me jump into this flashy car, but would be surprised to see me cross the road to the nearby taxi stop,' Mogopodi told Showbiz in Gaborone recently.

From 1989 Mogopodi was a celebrated musician whose magic went beyond the South Africa borders and many of us could have been excused for presuming that his silence in the recent years meant he had retired to some posh mansion in an upmarket location.  But according to the stocky musician, it has never been a bed of roses for him even during his hayday after he signed a contract that he did not fully understand.  The deal entitled him to only a small share of the money he generated while the bigger chunk went to his recording company.  'The three albums that I did from the debut Mama's Babe were best sellers throughout Southern Africa and they generated millions because at the time music piracy was not as bad as it is now.  But some people are clever, they make you believe you have signed for two years and when in actual fact the three years noted as optional are binding for you and give them the right to ditch you if they feel you are not profitable.

'But I cannot blame anyone, but myself for making such mistakes.  I was supposed to safeguard my interests instead of allowing people to exploit my talent and leave me with nothing,' the outspoken musician told Showbiz. 

Frustrated that he was only getting little in Mama's Babe royalties, Mogopodi tried to walk out of his recording company, but contractual obligations meant he had to produce two more albums under the same conditions.  But that did not make him produce substandard material, as both albums went on to turn platinum while he continued to get what he describes as 'peanuts' for his good work.  Mogopodi said that after five years of working as a 'slave' he was fed up with the music industry and decided to quit.  He had no other means of survival and had to find a regular job to make ends meet.

As if his frustrations were not enough, the musician started experiencing marital problems and in 2005 divorced his wife with whom they had twin girls.  Mogopodi emphasised that his divorce was the most painful time of his life, as he had to leave his twin girls.  'They are now 15-years-old and we still have a strong bond because after the divorce I never stopped being their father.  The thing is when you are depressed you tend to expect support from your partner and maybe she was not giving enough during my time of need.  I cannot blame her either because she was not there when I signed those contracts, but I just had to end it,' he said with a painful voice. 

While Mogopodi had 'buried' his music career Splash boss and Dalom Music director, Dan Tshanda, came knocking at his door four months ago and pleaded with him to return and join his stable.  Although the two men are still to put pen to paper, Mogopodi has been able to perform alongside Tshanda at Lion's Park in front of multitudes of fans, who showed much appreciation.

'I must say Dan was so convincing because I had told myself that I was done with music.  Right now I do not want to rush into signing anything, we will sit and see how the two of us can work together.  I cannot predict the future, but I have learnt that there are two sets of people in this industry - those who milk you dry and those who would cheat you with a human heart and I hope to find that kind of person because it cannot be completely clean,' he said.