A dispute between Amapiano heavyweights Kabza De Small (right) and Kelvin Momo (left) has reportedly spilled into the courts (Picture via ZA Tunes)

A dispute between Amapiano heavyweights Kabza De Small and Kelvin Momo has reportedly spilled into the courts, with Momo demanding R1 million in compensation for unpaid royalties and the failure to honour other obligations from the Scorpion Kings producer.

The legal issues between the two have reportedly fractured a friendship between two men who are regarded as the best producers in the genre.

Momo, who was once signed to Kabza’s PianoHub, alleges that he was not paid his royalties every six months, as had been agreed in their contract.

He also claims Kabza failed to inform distributors and publishers that he no longer had an agreement with the producer and that payments should have been made directly to Momo when he left PianoHub.

According to Zimoja, a friend close to Momo revealed that he had been unhappy with the work put into promoting one of his albums, leading to increasing problems between him and Kabza.

“They were really close. They had a good friendship until the signing of the contracts. Sometimes you cannot mix friendships with business. PianoHub also has a lot of artists, and they battle to juggle all at once,” the source said.

Momo has now decided to take the legal route, making a bid at the Johannesburg High Court and demanding a sum of R1 million in compensation.

“This is for royalties and for failing to meet his contractual obligations,” the insider said.