Letter – “Re: Recruitment Process of the CEO of the Uganda National Oil Company Limited” (20.04.2016)

Uganda Oil Company 25.04.2016

Monetary gains over the citizens needs is the reasonable way for the Ugandan MPs

Uganda Parliament Museveni

The level of arrogance that they have learned from the Executive, Chief Whip and Secretary General of the NRM comes to hunt the Parliament of Uganda. The Members of Parliament is set in their ways and used, sorry accustomed to monetary gains on the bills of the tax-payers already. The Income-Tax Amendment is just the new niche. They have already subsidized cars, housing, supported health-care and other add-ons that make their jobs easier and profitable.

As Reported in the Daily Monitor Today:

“Addressing a news conference in Parliament yesterday, Mr Peter Ogwang (Youth Eastern) and Mr Henry Musasizi (Rubanda East) warned civil servants like Mr Muhakanizi, who this week condemned their tax exemption deal, that they are also waiting for them in Parliament during the consideration of the Auditor General’s reports. “We cannot pass the budget until we are sure that our amendment to Income Tax Bill has been concluded,” Mr Musasizi said. “In case the President does not sign the Bill, it will still come back to the same people in Parliament. These are hard facts. We will still pass it without fear or favour.” The MPs also took shots at civil society groups which are raising public awareness over the controversy. “The public should be with us in the struggle to facilitate MPs. We need facilitation to go to our constituencies because a Member of Parliament without money cannot have confidence. But there is an option, if they want us to drop the amendment, the government should give us Shs30 billion in additional funding to cater for increased salaries and benefits for Members of Parliament,” Mr Musasizi said. Mr Musasizi, who moved the amendment to the Income Tax law, also revealed that what he did had the backing of the President.  “We agreed with the President in the [ruling party’s parliamentary retreat in] Kyankwanzi that we should not increase our salaries and benefits but tax on our allowances should be lifted to maintain the status-quo,” he said” (Mugerwa, 2016).

Ugandan shillings

So certain ones are putting the budget on a stalemate in favour of getting more money and not paying tax as ordinary citizens as they are MPs and for some reason deserves more facilitation then the people of Kalerwe or Kaabong. The ignorance and arrogance is just learned by the Inner-Circle of the NRM. This is just the works of decades of decadence from the ruling elite and now the chicken comes to roost. The egg is ready to put in the basket and the MPs are ready to be paid their salaries without having income-tax.

The interesting is that the Kyankwanzi 2.0. that was recently and made implications to the doing of the Parliament, how it was practically empty as the NRM CEC and the Executive set the agenda for the next Parliament, the 10th One. The tone of now more benefits for the MPs in general, no salary increase for the MPs; the Income-Tax Amendment is an increase of salaries as they will get all the monetary gain and not pay for their facilitation for being an Member of Parliament instead of secretary at the district office in Mbarara.

That the MPs want to stifle the voting for the 2016/2017 budget for the steady “progress” of the country proves what values the representatives of population have. They are in parliament to eat, get fat and get bonuses that would be out of reach in other jobs. They want to make their life splendid on the tax-payers salaries and not become a “tax-payer” as long as they are representing the tax-payers. Which in turn is ironic; just recently they passed legislation that was made to fix the budget shortfalls of 2015/2016 as certain ministries was broke after the economic maladministration during the NRM campaign. That was done in hurry to secure salaries of the State House and other positions of the state. So they can offer something as long as the Executive also get his cut. But now they are forcing the Parliament and becoming hostile to create a functioning economic climate in the sense of their pockets. That is what they are initially saying. The proud men and woman who is supposed to be representing the tax-payers are saying that does not deserve to be taxed by the state. So who deserve it then?

The ones representing the tax-payer should pay tax. The ones that levy new taxes and regulations should themselves get taxed on what they earn. It is over the edge to see the moment of monetary greed from the Members of Parliament in Uganda. Their act of disgrace and attitude towards fellow citizens is overbearing. But they have just learned from their Executive who has teach them how he runs the Racket and racketeering, so that the NRM elite and the inner-circle also want their goods and glory as long as the cost is not theirs. The same way the Executive get funded for cars, jet-planes, housing and cattle-farms. Now the MPs want’s the same as their master. Peace.   

Press Statement – ANC-EFF War: Only DA can move SA forward (26.04.2016)

DA 26.04.2016

The intensifying conflict between the ANC and the EFF, on the eve of South Africa’s 22nd Anniversary of our first democratic elections, demonstrates clearly that both parties are determined to put their own interests first and those of South Africa and our precious democracy, last.

The ANC’s intent to have EFF leaders jailed for treason, and the EFF’s threat of violence can quickly escalate tensions. Their utterances are politically immature but nonetheless seriously dangerous.

We accordingly urge both the ANC and the EFF, on the eve of Freedom Day and in honour of our late President Nelson Mandela, to put South Africa first and cease with their increasingly dangerous war of words.

The truth is the ANC and EFF are merely different sides of the same coin. The EFF is driven by hatred, and cannot be trusted to govern with policies that have been proven to fail; and the ANC cannot be trusted to move a democratic South Africa forward again, with corruption and unemployment on the increase.

The DA will this week continue to spread our message of hope: that we are one nation, with one future – united in our diversity. We believe that we can bring real and positive change to municipalities across South Africa by creating jobs, delivering better services and stopping corruption.

We will continue to spread this message because we believe that Change and not Violence is the best way to ensure that South Africa moves forward again.

Submitted by Phumzile Van Damme

NRM Party in economic shambles; Still not payed for T-Shirt used in 2011 Election!

NRM Oyee! 09.04.2016

The National Resistance Movement is in a pickle as their Swearing-In ceremony is coming in the near future and the government supposed to have a lavish party with 50 invited Head-of-States to celebrate the 7th Term of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. After so-called “winning the Presidential Election of 2016”; that is their view and their perspective. But the NRM-O and the NRM Party has an economic pickle to catch-up with.

This is as the documents from the High Court have ordered a certain debt that the NRM Party have gained towards the Centenary Rural Development Bank and the Housing Finance Bank (Uganda) Limited. The debt is in 4,990,700,000 Uganda Shillings. That is lots of monies. The accounts that the NRM party is frozen in the banks until the debt are settled with the creditors. This document comes from the court yesterday on the 25th April 2016.

NRM 14.11.15

Already in March 2016 the allegation and courtship over the debt started. As it said then:

“Judgement on admission is hereby entered against the respondent (NRM) in the amount of Shs4.9b. The issue of cost of the application shall be determined by the suit” Mr. Opesen held yesterday” (…)”The money arouse of supply 60,000 T-shirts, one million scarves and 200,000 sleeveless shirts” (…)”Kampala Modernity Stationers and Printers sued the ruling party in 2013 for contribution of the said money to be paid to Dubai based firm, Bright Arrows Trading which supplies the ready-made garments” (…)”M/S Bright Arrows Trading have sued Kampala Modernity for breach of contract leading to third party proceedings compelling court to add NRM as party in the case” (Buule, 2016).

So the truth is there and the Money that are dealing the problems as the buyer of the amounts of garments and clothes for campaigning in 2011 is biting the NRM Party today, as they still have sufficiently paid the Kampala Modernity who could not cough-up the invisible money that is owned to the producer of Brighter Arrows Trading from Dubai. And the people in Dubai is under the accord of doing business directly in Uganda, so they just want their money for their already delivered t-shirts that seemed at the time to be sufficient and well-used products by the NRM Party. As the NRM have a tendency to give away Yellow T-shirts and other material; even if they give away the producers still need their money and their production of the T-Shirts covered.

Gen Tukumunde Entebbe Dec 2015 - Money Man for NRM

So that Kampala Modernity Stationers and Printers sues NRM for neglecting their concern and pay bills for their procurement of T-Shirts and other garments. The Kampala Modernity wants and need this money to pay-up to the Dubai Based Company Brighter Arrows. But the buck and shillings stops at NRM Party who has not lived-up to their credit or honoring their agreement with Kampala Modernity. Therefore the issues with their accounts now at extent of the Party have to 6th May 2016 to pay the debt and clear the accounts in the Centenary Rural Development Bank and the Housing Finance Bank (Uganda) Limited.

So the monetary question seems to be climbing and this is stemming from the last campaign. Not even from this one who stopped in February 2016. If the party of NRM struggles to pay-up for the 2011 elections, what about the 2016 campaigns and the big spending of recent months as the State House needed additional funding? There certainly a mismanagement of funds and dwindling concern of honoring agreements as he static use of funds is not accountable, as the display of monies used to fund 2011 Elections still is questioned and not yet accounted for or even payed for and we are just done with last election of 2016.

The NRM Party and their NRM CEC does not look like they are a controlled unit as the NRM Task Force of 2011 couldn’t fix the issue and fund the needed T-Shirts and they are still gripping with lost funds. That must be worrying as the ruling party is dozing away cash without being accountable to the creditors and need to go to court to get them to facilitate the money for the purchase done in 2011. Peace.

Reference:

Buule, Jon – ‘N.R.M. in 4 billion debt over poor quality Yellow T.Shirts!!!’ (01.03.2016) link: http://mycampusjuice.com/2016/03/01/n-r-m-in-debt-over-poor-quality-yellow-t-shirts/

VFS Global rejects DA claims of Gupta alignment (25.04.2016)

VFS Global 25.04.2016

Opinion: Who is really the “Empty Suit”? Who might it be the Empty Suit in the Ministry of Health Care or KCCA? As the recent unfolded operations of maladministration in the public view… henceforth somebody who is just nodding to the Executive for the brown envelope.

The Wire Jimmy McNulty

McNULTY: “West Baltimore is dying and you empty suits are running around to pin some politician’s pelt to the wall. Thought you was real police, brother” (The Wire Season 2, Episode 13).

There is in this day and age lots of appointed government officials, they work supposed to be diligent and with honour of the codes of their work, not work directly for the ones that appointed them. That cannot always be easy as the station and the position would not been opened or given to the person if the appointee didn’t give that extended hand or blessing for the job. When you have that situation you need a strong state and strict regulatory regime that counter the possible backhand and kickbacks to the ones that appointed them.

Why do I discuss this at this point? Because it is a vital part of our government regimes and is a question that can be asked in nearly all parts of the globe. As all jobs in the branches of government does not automatically goes to the most educated, relied on or the one person who has the most integrity in the position. Instead the man or woman who gets appointed is an “empty suit”.

Krugman Boardroom

What some of them might do?

“What typically saves the empty suit is the tenuous relation between what he or she does and any actual business results. This may be a function of the job he’s in: a staff post, with lots of power to nix others’ initiatives but no responsibility to make or sell anything. Or a pocket of avoirdupois in a still-too-fat corporate bureaucracy, the kind of position that causes underlings to scratch their heads and wonder, ”Gee, do we really need all these vice presidents?” Or the empty suit may have come up through a system that rotates fast- trackers through a new job every 18 months, even though the effects of his tenure don’t become evident for two to three years. He hardly had time to get any grounding in the work his people do, and he may have royally screwed up the few decisions he was compelled to make, but when the chickens come home to roost, he has flown. If somebody has the bad taste to try to assign responsibility, the suit can easily fuzz the matter over by suggesting that the blame rests with his successor or former subordinates” (Kiechel, 1989).

There certainly similar like the ones described in our time in every department, every corporation and every single institution we know of. This might be the Electoral Commission of Uganda and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya. As much as the regulatory chairs of the banking industry of Kenya must feel like empty suits these days as the confidence at that is low-key as well. The Chase Bank, The Imperial Bank and National Bank of Kenya have fallen from grace. The most likely selling of the Barclays Bank African Group might also make the fragile banking sector into more disarray as the leading regulators seems like the extra board-members instead of people who uses their position and chair with care and uses the mandate to make a difference and even square.

Soroti Hospital April 2016

The situations are different when the appointed is not hired for their knowledge of their field, but the loyalty of the regime or government that is running in the country. The likes of Ministry of Health in Uganda for the moment where the hospitals are creaking and the machines are criss-crossing between life and death. Electricity and other cases of depleted. As the missing extra blood for surgery, the copy-medication and the loss of necessary equipment; that shows the lack of management and reasons for empty suits. The highest empty suit for the moment must be State Minister for Health Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi who seems to be more concern with catching checks then doing his job at this point. This point comes with the correlation of Minster of Health Hon. Elioda Tumwesige and the State Minister for Primary Health Hon. Sarah Opendi Ochieng. One of the three must generate a valued pay-check and makes sure that the NMS delivers the Global Funded projects and the other government funded health care, but either Chris, Elioda or Sarah, one of them or more must be a hired “empty suit” as the three of them are put into ministerial position working for initially the same thing.

lukwago-musisi

It is just like the same mess with the KCCA where you have KCCA Executive Director of Jennifer Musisi. You have Frank Tumbewaze who is both Minister of the Presidency and Kampala Affairs. Then you have the third person who got a mandate the Presidential Advisor for Kampala affairs Mr. Singh Katongole what he does is surely only him and the Executive of Uganda who knows, since his appointment in December 2015 his silence must mean a envelope and letting Hon. Tumbewaze and Hon. Musisi does what they like. To make it more hectic you have the actual people’s elected through the ballot who supposed to run the Kampala Capital City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. So you have hon. Musisi, Hon. Tumbewazi, Hon. Katongole and Lord Mayor Lukwago. All of them are supposed to central people in the running of administration and regulate the divisions of Kampala politically and create policies that builds and secure the functions of KCCA. That must be hectic one of these men and woman must be a empty suit. Unless Hon. Katongole who I haven’t heard a word from since appointment is an ear-to-the ground and talking or addressing letters directly to the Executive or Head of State as his role has still not been served. As the accountability of the NRM-Regime is not strong they prefer keeping people in the dark.  Hon. Tumbewaze seems more to be the ones who was appointed to turn opposition Lord Mayor on his knees and therefore also gotten a permanent Executive Director in Musisi to shut down the elected person. But the end-game is that one of them must be an “Empty Suit” as the basic needs cannot be that big, and one of them is catching the brown envelopes without doing anything.

There are certainly more empty suits in the system as I started with the appointed men who is not educated for the position, but are there for the loyalty not because of the office is needed or there for a general purpose. That is the same as extra board-members in a corporation who is hired to vote for the general consensus in the board, but not to generate profits in some sense. They are there because the Corporation and LLC need useful idiots to be paid to follow the remarks of the stakeholders and shareholders, not the common-sense of their position.

Appointment of Nat. Gov. Spokesmen Kenya

We can all question the value of these leaders and honourable men-or-woman in a representative or appointed position by the President for instance. The level of credible men and woman and the need for expertise in the government organisations, into the department and the civic care from the road-development to the health care facilities need men and woman who knows the trade. As long the men does what is needed for the President or for the Stakeholders. The ones that lose are the ordinary person, employee or civil servants as they will either work under them or have to pay them tax-money to keep them. As they have to be paid an envelope to be the empty-dress. The person who is an empty dress doesn’t become that for free. Somebody has to be charge to keep him there. Most likely it is me or you. We can just ask ourselves. Who of the appointed leaders in government is an empty suit? Who in the corporate world are the extras?

Byandala

Lastly, why does the Minister Without Portfolio. Hon. Abraham Byandala gets away and is not questioned by the opposition or anybody else. Why is this man the free-man the invisible creature in the parliament that does not have scruples? This since this position is the epitome of a Empty Suit. He is a MINISTER, but does not have an OFFICE, Department or a MINISTRY to run. Hon. Byandala can do as he pleases and still get paid. You cannot check his ministry or running government portfolio as it is non-existence from the get-go. The Government Official without any oversight and anything to initial control or say in other words the official Minister of Nothing (MoN). Hon. Byandala is running the Ministry of Nothing. The Minister of Hot-Air and the checking the chapattis’ in parliament is fresh enough for Hon. Oulanyah’s taste.

Well, what do you think? Are the somebody you feels are an Empty suit? Somebody you question or wonder if really have anything more than pay-check from the Tax-Payers money, but does not use it’s office or even delivers anything. Then that person might be an empty suit who just nods the head to the Executive and the general leadership without exercising power or determine the future of the government institution, department or ministry. Even if the person is really doing anything in the boardroom or a needed voter for the stakeholders; if it is only the needed majority to follow procedure then the scheme need a check or reform.

River Okikolo FDC 13.01.2016

There will certainly be more stories and the existence of similar men and woman who can be described as “Empty Suits” and be stooges needed by any administration and corporations as they viciously need structure to control the citizens and the policies without questions from the inner-circle. Even if that means not procurement of needed medicines, fuel, transformers or building bridges to easier access the missing Okor Bridge in Kumi District: “This project was intended to connect Nyero and Mukongoro sub-counties in Kumi district” (MoFED, March 2015). A bridge that does not exist or is built by now so the sub-counties is not yet connect because of the altered situation and have to run long roads around the area than crossing straight over the river. So a project like this says there some empty suits as in 2009 as company was hired to build the river, by December 2012 the works by the river had stopped. Even if the departments to UNRA gave reports of progress of the project was last monitored in 2014 and by 2016 there not been done more to build the bridge since the monopoly of the Chinese Contractor have stifled the progression and in the end wasted government funds into a building a bridge who does not exist. Just like the Ministry of Nothing Hon. Byandala.

Think that is enough for today! Peace.

Reference:

Kiechel, Walter – ‘HOW TO SPOT AN EMPTY SUIT This breed of modern manager looks good and gets along splendidly with the brass. But is he contributing anything?’ (20.11.1989) link: http://archive.fortune.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/11/20/72761/index.htm

Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – ‘NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FY 2015/16’ (March 2015).

Would you steal 791 million from the government? | Nairobi Vibe Ep. 5 (Youtube-Clip)

Recently Ann Waiguru and other prominent members of state have been accused of embezzling 791 million from the Kenyan government. it seems as though corruption has become a normal part of life in Kenya, is it normal? Would you steal 791 million KSH from the government without a problem? We went to KCA university to find out if they would steal 791 million from the government and we got some interesting answers, check it out” (Swafi TV, 2016).

Former National Bank of Kenya MD and CEO Munir Sheikh Ahmed officially exits (Youtube-Clip)

“Munir Sheikh Ahmed officially exited National Bank of Kenya. The former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer was suspended on March 29th over allegations of fraud. The bank’s board sent out formal notices to the Nairobi Securities Exchange which also indicated two more official exits from NBK.  These are Boniface Biko who was the Executive Director in charge of Corporate Institutional and Business Banking, as well as the Chief Finance Officer, Chris Kisire. The three former senior managers are among the 6 who had been suspended over breach of fiduciary duty” (NTV Kenya, 2016).

Cash Money Records have a broken record when it comes to coughing-up the Cash Money to their artists/producers/sampled-artist… Sounds not like a record business, but instead very close to a racket from Birdman and Slim by now…

cash-money-billboard-cover-p

“[Birdman] doesn’t need any more money” (…)”I tease him about it. It’s not about the money for them. For them, it’s about success. It’s about proving, ‘Yes, we’ve done this, but guess what: not only can we maintain this, we can beat this” – Jay Sean in 2013 (Greenburg, 2013).

The Birdman aka Baby aka Bryan Willams, the entrepreneur of Cash Money Records which have made genuine deals with Universal Media Group (UMG). The Company he have run and with the deals done with Lil Wayne’s aka Dwayne Michael Carter’s Young Money which is a business branch of the Cash Money. So there been a long rate of artists under these recording companies and businesses that have had issues with Cash Money. As the men and woman who have had contracts in the company been far from straight. Even if the contracts have been straight, the practice of following up on the contracted payments have been shallow or little to be gentle. All of the recents issues between Cash Money Records and both former Artists and Producers says itself. Right?

There been surrounded of controversy with back-payments, royalties and contracts disputes that been frequent from the record label that Birdman have been running. It’s not like the world haven’t discussed that matter of fact and that are bases into the alleged laundering of money from the artist to the grand wealth of the label head. As there are from time to time new allegations and new artists either trying to get a settlement or be released from Cash Money rooster.

hot-boys The Source Cover

So the way the business been driven have been in a way it seems that the head is getting wealth while starving the artists and trying to hide the fact. The reason why it is touchy for Birdman is that the gig is up and he can’t hide the fact. As nearly all of the original “Hot Boyz” have left the fold. Juvenile went and came back. B.G. is independent and was for a hot-minute on Atlantic before the current jail-time. Turk have left the fold. The main producer Mannie Fresh left the fold to after reaching a settlement. The only original artist left at Cash Money is Lil Wayne who also “runs” the Young Money Recording Company under Cash Money. So an artist who signs to Young Money will split the money through the UMG/Cash Money and then Young Money. So there are lots of label heads who earns capital on the produced music from Young Money before the initial artist get their check. In midst of this, there is also the reluctant accountability from the central leadership of Cash Money. As the information from Birdman and others are nearly non-existence and that breach of public trust shows the reason for why the Breakfast Club and their radio hosts can question the companies approach and the dealings of Birdman. As I will some former issues between Birdman and his artists. As there been a few over the years; and it does not stop and can’t stop Birdman he is a Bad Boy for life. Pardon the pun, but couldn’t help myself!

Juvenile Slow Motion

Just like Juvenile of the original crew who have gone back and forth have done this:

In 2004: “I am thrilled that we were able to bring Juvenile and UTP into the Atlantic fold” (…)”Atlantic Records Group Co-Chairman/COO Craig Kallman told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Juvenile is the real deal – an uncompromising artist of phenomenal talent who has only scratched the surface of his creative potential. A pioneer in the fertile southern Hip-Hop movement, Juvenile put New Orleans on the national rap map. Now, with these companion deals, we not only welcome Juvenile to Atlantic, but we have the great bonus of bringing his whole crew on board through his own UTP label. Juvenile has long been a signature artist in the Hip-Hop community, and he now becomes the latest high-profile artist to join Atlantic’s rapidly burgeoning urban roster.”(AllHiphop, 2004). In 2012:“I am truly excited to say that it’s a new day. There are a lot of old interviews out there that can reflect old negativity. Luckily, in recent months, circumstances brought me and Cash Money back together and I was able to re-unite with members of my original crew,” Juvenile says in a recent statement” (…)”That’s why we all have decided to leave negativity in the past. I am truly looking forward to the future and to my future work with Baby, Lil Wayne , YMCMB and Cash Money. “Picture Perfect” is the beginning and we have a lot more to come. Get ready!” (Platon, 2012).

He has gone so much back and forth between the Cash Money and spoken so madly about the practices that its weird that he has returned again. As the Cash Money records can pawn him when needed. This because he doesn’t have the traction or the play that he used to. When was the last relevant track from Juvenile we’re “Slow Motion” featuring Soulja Slim in 2004? It’s a decade ago and by now his bad deals and settlements with Cash Money does not give the returns he wished by the former results and sales in the starting stages of the Cash Money Records. Juvenile and Lil Wayne are the ones from the original crew that is left there. So that says a lot. Will go through bunch of court decisions and shows the level of foul play from the management towards their own Recording Artist, Producers and Sampling Artists. That shows the tracks and the road that the Cash Money Records do. If they didn’t then they wouldn’t get into all these court cases to fix the money issue between fellow artists and other needed personnel for their success. Take a look! 

15_Rules_MF

Mannie Fresh Settlement:

“Producer Mannie Fresh and Cash Money Records have reached an out of court settlement. A representative for Universal Records, Cash Money’s distributor, said, “Cash Money Records has reached an amicable agreement with former in-house producer Mannie Fresh. Per the agreement, neither party can discuss the terms.” Fresh, who provided the musical backdrop for a large percentage of Cash Money Records’ hits, left the label last year over a financial dispute” (Artisan News Service, 2006).

As you see even in 2005 the in-house producer and the one who has produced most of the first hits of the Recording Company needed to come to settlement before release as the shady dealings are evident. Especially since the Recording Company and Former Artist have undisclosed the agreement and cannot discuss the terms of the settlement. The grey dealings like this are why people have lots of questions to Birdman and the Cash Money Records for their deals with their employees or their artists. In a sense that is reasonable!

Jay Sean

Jay Sean leaves and settles with Cash Money on royalties’ dispute:

OFM: I’ve always had a good relationship with Slim and Baby. Slim always liked that we always gave them high energy records. I called Slim and told him how we had this kid that we was working with, he just sold 150 thousand units worldwide, 20 million views on his lead single. At the time, I had taken Jay to all the major labels, Def Jam, Epic, Columbia, Capitol, they all turned him down. I figured, who else would understand an underdog like Slim and Baby. So took him to Slim and Baby and they loved him. Next thing you know, they flew him down to Miami and the rest is history” (Jeremiah, 2012). He leaves Cash Money and said this in an interview: “It wasn’t! It wasn’t a decision at all – it was something I had to do. All of those kind of decisions I’ve made in my life have never been daunting. Walking away from medicine, walking away from Virgin records, moving to America, walking away from Cash Money – I don’t really over think these things. I firmly believe that everything is written. That’s how I look at things in life, so when something is going to happen it will happen, and that’s why I don’t really fear anything anymore. When I feel something in my gut and something tells me to get out I don’t even think about it” (Combo-Kainth, 2014).  Later this happen: “Hip-hop mogul Bryan ‘Birdman’ Williams has been ordered to pay $1.1 million (£785,000) to the producers behind a string of songs recorded by his former artist Jay Sean” (…)”The case went to court this week (begs22Feb16) and a judge has since ruled in Orange Factory Music bosses’ favour, awarding them compensation for producing songs including Down, Do You Remember, Fire, and Lights Off” (WENN, 2016).

When Jay Sean the RnB singer and Recording Artist together with Orange Factory Music had to get the Cash Money Records to cough up royalties proves how the company is structured and how the demean the artist. To such a level that the artist themselves says straight away in the interview that there we’re no choice, but to leave. That must be hurting for Birdman, that is his company and the former employee saying it was no choice and decisions, but to leave the company. So the company also get ordered to back-pay both Jay Sean and the producers of hits that made profits for Cash Money in 2008 and 2009 proves the ability of stifling the ones that creates wealth. As the hits and profits on Jay Sean happen years ago and the court judgement happen in 2016. So the money have been stalled and the promised through agreements between the artist, the producers and the Cash Money have not been straight!

jasprincedrakemain

JAS Prince Sues Drake Management/Young Money:

“Drake into entering an exclusive recording agreement and an exclusive management agreement (hereinafter “the agreement”) with the two of them and Defendant Bryant was to use his influence to compel Lil Wayne to sign and promote Drake to and through Lil Wayne’s record company YME, once Drake had signed the agreements. They also agreed to develop and exploit Drake’s entertainment services together and split profits therefrom accordingly. Furthermore, in defense and acknowledgement to Plaintiff Jas Prince father, James Prince Sr’s long-standing relationship with CMR, the distributor of YME, it was agreed that plaintiff Jas Prince and James Prince Sr. would consult with them and take the lead on their business dealings with YME and CMR” (…)”Upon learning about these events, in or around July 2009, it became immediately apparent that Defendant Bryant had no intention of honoring his agreement with Plaintiffs, but instead intended to oust Plaintiffs from the Drake business” (…)”Despite numerous verbal promises and Defendants express promises in the Settlement Agreement to use their “best efforts” to do so, Defendants have refused to execute the letter of direction that would allow Plaintiffs to be paid and accounted directly from YME/CMR” (…)”To date, Defendants have failed to pay Plaintiffs their share of the Profits in accordance with the Settlement Agreement” (McMilian, 2012).

As we can see here is more shady dealings between Young Money and its management that also is close connected to Lil Wayne. So the Cash Money Records dealings are shown to disrespect the long-term relationship between J. Prince and the Houston, Texas music recording family that had an Management Contract with Drake before he was entering an agreement with Young Money/Cash Money Records. Therefore stifling Jas Prince and his management company seems to be the business-model of Cash Money as they are third partner who does not get what the agreed fees between the companies. Therefore the suit from Jas as he wanted his cut as the agreement from Drake was viable and agreed on before going into the Young Money Entertainment.

Lil Wayne Mirror

Soundkillers LLC sues Cash Money in 2014:

“On and around August 26, 2011, Plaintiff entered into and executed a written agreement (the “Producers Agreement”) with Defendant Young Money to furnish Mr. Owen’s Production Services to Defendant Young Money on a non-exclusive basis in connection with producing one master sound recording title “Mirror” (the “Master Recording”), embodying the performance in Young Money’s recording artist Dwayne Carter professionally known as “Lil Wayne” (…)”In fact, in August 2011, Defendants released the “Carter IV” album (the “Album”) embodying the Master Recording, which was produced by Plaintiff for Defendants under the terms of the Producer Agreement” (…)”In short, Defendants owe Plaintiff significant sums of money stemming from the Producer Agreement and Master Recording” (…)”Despite demand, Defendants have failed and/or refused to pay Plaintiff the Plaintiff’s share of the royalties stemming from the exploitation of the Master Recording and the underlying composition thereof” (Judge Freeman, 2014).

As you can see even a producer have not gotten the accounted royalties that stemmed from a successful recording sold through the Cash Money/Young Money/Universal Company as it was a single on the highly profitable Album Carter IV; and surely was after the agreement deemed for royalties that was entitled in the pre-made contract. Another proof of how Birdman is stifling the ones making him money. As even a not-well-known producer have to sue him and the companies that are run by him to get the royalties for his work and his production to the credited song from the successful album.

turk-banner-1000x600

Turk sues Cash Money in 2015:

“Plaintiff has not been paid any artist royalties and music publishing royalties, leaving substantial amounts due and owing by Defendants in accordance with the terms and conditions of the foregoing agreements. No accountings of artist royalties or music publishing royalties have ever been rendered by Defendants to Plaintiff” (…)”his Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because Virgil and Defendants reside in different states and the amount in controversy in this action, exclusive of interest and costs, exceeds the sum or value of $75,000.00” (…)”Upon information and belief, under the terms of the Exclusive Artist Recording Agreements, Cash Money agreed to pay to Plaintiff (a) artist advances, (b) artist royalties, (c)  publishing advances, and (d) music publishing royalties, all pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Exclusive Artist Recording Agreements” (…)”Upon information and belief, Defendants have received millions of dollars in advances and revenues from UMG, and other third party licensees, from the sound recordings and musical compositions created in whole or in part by Plaintiff” (…)”Plaintiff is entitled to an accounting from Defendants to ascertain the damages suffered by Plaintiff resulting from Defendants’ breach of their fiduciary obligations, and to determine the amounts owed to Plaintiff in advances, artist royalties and music publishing royalties from the sale and licensing of albums, the master recordings embodied upon the albums, and the musical compositions embodied upon the master recordings contained on the albums and singles, inclusive of all digital download and ringtone sales, released or otherwise exploited by Defendants” (…)”Defendants have thereby breached the Exclusive Artist Recording Agreements causing damage to Plaintiff in an amount to be determined at trial, not less than $1,300,000.00” (Patrick E. Costello, 2015).

Here is one of the first Markie artist that established the Cash Money Records, one of them that was vital for the existence of the Cash Money records that Birdman holds so dear and is his “creation” and his business. Certainly without the Hot Boyz and their success the money train would not have come. But when Turk as a significant artist on the label comes with this sue and court order towards the Cash Money Records and Birdman it shows how the riches have been spoilt. Instead of paying Turk for his music, his composure and his parts of being a member in the Hot Boyz; instead the management and company spend the money away. That shows that ability of shady business agreements that the company has. As we could see with Mannie Fresh’s the in-house producer, and now Turk gone through the same thing and had to sue to get their royalties and their deserved compensation for their work.

HYFR-Hell-Ya-Fucking-Right-Explicit-19

Not paying for sampling for single of Drake under Cash Money/Young Money:

“On October 20, 2011, DMG Clearances, Inc., a music clearance and licensing company, on behalf of Defendants, entered into written sample clearance agreements with recording artist Cedric Hill (the Sample Agreements ) whereby Mr. Hill agreed to license his interests in recordings that he owned entitled “Swanging and Banging”and “Sailing Da South” (collectively, the Sampled Recordings ) for inclusion in the new sound recordings entitled “Over My Dead Body” and “H.Y.F.R. (Hell Yeah Fucking Right)” (collectively, the New Recordings ) that were originally recorded and performed by the recording artist Aubrey “Drake” Graham professionally known as Drake ( Artist )” (…)”The Sampled Recordings licensed by Mr. Hill were used directly or indirectly by the Defendants and their affiliates in the creation of the New Recordings, which were thereafter exploited and sold by Defendants when in November 2011, Defendants Young Money and Cash Money, Republic Records a/k/a Universal Republic, and Universal Records a division of UMG Recordings Inc, commercially released artist’s “Take Care” album (the “Album”); embodying the New Recordings containing samples of the Sampled Recording” (…)”Defendant Cash Money expressly agreed to remunerate Mr. Hill with a two and a half percent (2.5%) royalty “price per dealers”(pro-rated by the numbers of tracks on particular configuration) on exploitations of the New Recordings in physical products, digital downloads and ringtones in all media or configurations now known or hereinafter devised, which applies on both audio and audio visual use of the New Recordings (the “Second Royalty”)” (…)”Pursuant to the Assignment Agreement Mr. Hill granted to Plaintiff the sole and exclusive right, throughout the Territory, to collect all monies earned with respect to the First Royalty and Second Royalty, and all monies that Mr. Hill is eligible to receive and under the terms of the Sample Agreement” (…)”As result of failing to respond  to the Cure Notice, Defendant Cash Money was in material breach of the Sample Agreements under the terms of the same. Counsel for Plaintiff sent counsel for Defendant Cash Money confirmation of the material breach on November 13, 2013 (the “Confirmation of Material Breach,” Exhibit D hereto)” (MFMnG, 2015).

Here is another recent story of a single used to gain sales for Cash Money and the usage of another man’s property under agreement with the management of another artist. This was to salvage most as possible from Cash Money who has already made profits by using the sampling of another artists songs onto a single for Album of Drake. This proof how shady the agreements are as they don’t even pay-up for services to sample tracks from other artist to make their own songs. That is belittling and proves the detailed practices of Cash Money.

lilwayne1

Lil Wayne sues Cash Money in 2015:

“Demand $ 51,000,000” (…)”On or about February 20, 2003, Carter and Cash Money entered into a self-styled “Memorandum of Agreement” (the “2003 Label Agreement) for the creation of Young Money Label joint venture for the common purpose of the manufacture, distribution, promotion and exploitation of recordings containing the performances of new recordings artists who would be signed by the Young Money Label following approval by Carter and Cash Money, the sole owner of the joint venture” (…)”Beginning at latest in 2013, Cash Money failed to provide proper monthly accounting to Carter and/or Young Money LLC and failed to make timely accounting and/or payments of net profits due  to Carter and/or Young Money LLC pursuant the 2003 Label Agreement, as amended. In addition, Cash Money failed to make required overhead payments of Two Hundred Thousand ($200,000.00) per calendar quarter to the Young Money and also failed to maintain to escrow account funded with one million dollar ($1,000,000.00) for overhead payment for the Young Money Label” (…)”With regard to the 2009 Drake Letter Agreement, Cash Money, since at latest early 2012, has failed to account to Young Money LLC on a monthly basis and has failed to pay Young Money LLC its share of net receipts with regard to solo recording of Drake released by the Young Money Label. Cash Money have failed to provide a single accounting in respect of the exploitation of the Drake recordings, despite Drake being one of the bestselling recording artists in the recent years” (…)”Cash Money also failed to properly register the copyright in the Young Money Label recordings as jointly owned by Cash Money and Carter/Young Money LLC. Cash Money refused to accept artist’s submitted by Carter to join the Young Money Label. Cash Money failed to account and pay monies due to various third parties involved with recording artists signed to the Young Money Label. Such failures have resulted in legal actions against the Young Money Label and/or Plaintiff and additional financial losses for plaintiff” (…)”Despite being obligated to do so, as of the date of this complaint, Cash Money has not registered Carter as co-owner of the sound recordings contained in the album entitled “I Am Not A Human Being II”, which was delivered for the fourth option period. Upon information and belief, in breach of the 2008 amendment, Cash Money registered the copyright in such sound recordings solely in the name of Cash Money” (Michael B. Kramer & Associates, 2015).

Lilwaynefwatidaltweet

Cash Money versus WIMP/TIDAL:

“Defendants have been, and are continuing to, feature and promote Carter’s recordings throughout the world via Defendants’ fledgling digital streaming music service known as “Tidal,” all in brazen defiance of CMR’s exclusive rights under the exclusive recording agreement” (…)”Defendants have induced Carter to breach CMR’s exclusive recording agreement, by, among other things, purporting to acquire CMR’s exclusive rights to exploit sound recordings performed and recorded by Carter. CMR has paid Carter tens of millions of dollars pursuant to the terms of its Recording Agreement with Carter and, accordingly, CMR has a substantial investment and interest in the manner in which Carter Recordings are exploited” (…)”Specifically, beginning on or about July 3, 2015, Tidal began streaming Carter’s FWA  album which includes sixteen Carter Recordings (the “Unauthorized Recordings”)” (…)”Defendants have touted their “exclusive” release of the FWA album. The image below shows Tidal’s webpage on or about July 9, 2015” (…)”As a result of Defendants’ improper conduct, CMR has suffered significant damages, including but not limited to lost revenues and loss of control over the content of its artist, Carter, and the resulting diminution in value of Carter’s work” (Alan R. Friedman, 2015).

There been talking settlements on both Lil Wayne cases both with Tidal and between Cash Money Records and the Young Money Artist, and label head. But the time will tell if the companies combined does themselves well, as the open friction have occurred not only in the court-room and in suits against each other. That is the reason for the “Free Wayne Album” at Tidal and the mess it made for Birdman and Cash Money. As this proved the ability for Lil Wayne to counter the management and leadership of his CEO Bryant Williams as proven in the inaction of releasing a album from him.

The determination and the digression and the attitude to the coming cases upon case coming with the demeanor of suits from producers, artists, sampling and fellow builders of the company as Mannie Fresh and Turk. Says a lot of the model of unpaid for services rendered the Cash Money Records and their Label Young Money Entertainment. As the Copyright issues, misuse of sampling or even not paying of royalties set the figures and gives us questions to the savvy business practice of the Recording Company and their use of employees or giving the fixed fees as set in the contracts. Since they don’t do that; that in away set precedence for how Birdman aka Baby aka Bryan Williams shady dealing and stifling the artist, the producers and the ones they sample music from even. That is not business, but nearly a racket. A conspiracy to contractual deceive and steal other people’s work for own gain. While selling the stolen property for own monetary gain for Williams and Cash Money and not the ones initially producing or having the copyrights to the music that Cash Money/Young Money/ Universal is selling. That is exploitation and not honoring the fellow signed members of either parts of the business, but taking their work and thieving. Therefore having to go to court to get what is yours instead of being paid for service rendered. That would be proper way, like ordinary men and woman get paid for working hours, the sales and distribution of the music from Cash Money should give royalties and payments that was offered in their initial contracts and not the ones that saves the Cash Money Record Company in their settlements.

Heres-What-Really-Happened-With-Birdman-The-Breakfast-Club.-1

Birdman can muffle an interview at the Breakfast Club in New York, but the systematic practice towards own musicians and producers cannot be forgiven. The reason for fellow men and woman who have worked and made massive profits for Birdman should get their returns and ends. As Birdman tries the Ruthless Records, the Death Row and the other back-ways to paying their “ends” to the artist while flying high on the profits and hoping that the artist doesn’t understand the thieving from CEO and Bosses of Cash Money Records; that is what it is as the systematic taking away from royalties and contractual payment. It think that is enough for today. Peace.

Reference:

AllHipHop – ‘Juve Leaves Cash Money… Again’ (13.07.2004) link: http://www.rapbasement.com/juvenile/juve-leaves-cash-money-again.html

Artisan News Service – ‘MANNIE FRESH SETTLES WITH CASH MONEY RECORDS’ (16.06.2006) link: http://www.artisannews.com/mannie-fresh-settles-with-cash-money-records/

Platon, Adelle – ‘Juvenile Releases Statement About His Future With Cash Money/YMCMB’ (06.11.2012) link: http://www.vibe.com/2012/11/juvenile-releases-statement-about-his-future-cash-moneyymcmb/

Cash Money Records V. Aspiro AB, WIMP Music AS and WIMP INC (16.07.2015) – Alan R. Friedman

Combo-Kainith, Reena – ‘EXCLUSIVE!! JAY SEAN INTERVIEW’ (22.11.2014) link: http://www.ikonzmag.co.uk/exclusive-jay-seans-interview/

Greenburg, Zack O’Malley – ‘The Cash Money Way: Drake, Jay Sean And Birdman Explain’ (27.03.2013) link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/03/27/the-cash-money-way-drake-jay-sean-and-birdman-explain/#65d47f7a3a57

James (JAS) Prince and Young Empire Music Group LLC V. Aspire Music Group LLC, Cortez Bryant, Laurent Management LLC, Three Kings LLC, Gerald Roberson and Derrick Lawerence  – James E. McMilan (Attorney) –  (23.07.2012)

Jeremiah – ‘Behind the music: Orange Factory Music speaks on Jay Sean, Cash Money, licensing and more.’ (29.06.2012) link: http://istandardproducers.com/behind-the-music-orange-factory-music-speaks-on-jay-sean-cash-money-licensing-and-more/

Lil Wayne V. Cash Money – 28.01.2015, New York – Michael B. Kramer & Associates

MFMnG Production LLC V. Young Money Entertainment (15.03.2015) – New York

Soundkiller V. Cash Money – 30.09.2014, Manhatten, New York – Magistrate Judge Freeman

Tab Vigril Jr. aka “Turk” V. Cash Money Records (05.02.2015) – Patrick E. Costello

WENN – ‘Judge Orders Cash Money Bosses To Pay Up In Jay Sean Royalties Dispute’ (24.02.2016),  Link: http://www.contactmusic.com/jay-sean/news/judge-orders-cash-money-bosses-to-pay-up-in-jay-sean-royalties-dispute_5147855#zzfv55ftAm1dh0Gl.99

13th Summit of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects – Joint Communique (23.04.2016)

13 NCIP Joint Communique P1 201613 NCIP Joint Communique P2 201613 NCIP Joint Communique P3 201613 NCIP Joint Communique P4 201613 NCIP Joint Communique P5 2016