Why I turned down MCSK invite to collect my royalties - Bien

“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,” disclosed Bien. 

Speaking during an interview on the Iko Nini Podcast, the award-winning singer disclosed that the MCSK persuaded him several times to collect his dues, although he turned down the invitation because they withheld the amount of money they would pay him upon requesting, which he speculated was a meagre sum.

He further noted that the society is yet to send him ‘the undisclosed amount’.

“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. 

He alleged that the MCSK wanted to use him as a publicity stunt to prove that artists were paid their dues, whereas the said money was a meagre amount.   

 “Mnataka kucome mnigeuze token mseme wasanii walilipwa, na in essence, mnajua hio collection ni chump change,” asserted the artist. 

Bien mentioned that the solution to the issuance of meagre monies to artists is effective leadership, adding that the society should be led by people who understand both the administration and 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. 

He also cited ‘unaccountability’ in the MCSK, arguing that there should be ways outlined to measure its milestones and failures to ensure the society's effectiveness.

Additionally, Bien commended Hubert Nakitare, popularly known as Nonini for being vocal about Collective Management Organizations (CMOS) including the MCSK for embezzling artists’ monies.