Mhere, Viyali fallout over $1 500

GOSPEL musician Mathias Mhere was forced to “reproduce” his recently released album Double Double at The Voice of Thunder studios after Vialy Studios —– which was handling the project —– held on to the album over $1 500 which the singer owed producer, Munyaradzi Viyali, NewsDay has established.

It is understood that Mhere sought the services of Viyali after he was impressed by the latter’s work on his earlier duet with dancehall sensation Killer T.

Mhere is said to have only paid $450 for the recording, mixing and mastering of three songs out of the 13 recorded by Viyali.

“Munya Viyali is the one who started the recording of Mathias Mhere’s recently released album Double Double at his Vialy Studios. 

He recorded 13 songs on the initial project, but Mhere failed to raise $1 500 for the production of the album forcing Munya to withhold it for its release,” a source said.

Mhere, who had already publicised February 10 as the launch date of the album, was then forced to have it produced at The Voice of Thunder Studio by Gibson Makumbe.

This was after Viyali, who confirmed the developments yesterday, had turned down Mhere’s offer to pay him after the album’s release.

“I withheld Mhere’s project because he failed to honour our agreement. I recorded 13 songs and he failed to pay for the service so I had no option, but to withhold the project,” Viyali said.

“Usually I request cash upfront before doing some projects with these musicians, but on Mhere, I trusted him as a brother and agreed on a project release plan whereby Mhere would pay after his live shows and he failed to adhere to that as he kept shifting goal posts.”

Mhere yesterday said they have resolved the matter. Newsday