The online music community was shaken on Tuesday when composer Santhosh Narayanan disclosed via his social media platforms that the artists responsible for the viral sensation ‘Enjoy Enjaami’, including himself, rapper Arivu, and singer Dhee, have not received any financial compensation from their music label, Maajja. This absence of payment comes three years post-release. The revelation attracted significant attention, in part due to Maajja’s association with the iconic composer and co-founder, AR Rahman.
Amidst the digital uproar, Santhosh clarified his earlier statements on Wednesday, emphasizing Rahman’s supportive role throughout the ordeal with Maajja. He portrayed the Oscar-winning composer as another sufferer of the situation—”also a victim of false promises and malice.” Santhosh’s online note appealed to the community for support of indie artists, highlighting their shared struggles for due recognition and monetary remuneration.
Santhosh’s message not only addressed Rahman’s positive involvement in the fiasco but also pointed out the systemic issue indie artists face within the music industry. He mentioned that many, including Arivu, Svdp, Dhee, and himself, have been “bullied with emails” instead of receiving fair earnings from their work. This bitter experience underscores the complexity of the music business, where talent is not always justly rewarded.
Further delving into the saga, Santhosh promised to address the controversy from 2021 concerning the apparent marginalization of rapper Arivu from the success narrative of ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ and ‘Neeye Oli’. Vowing transparency, he pledged to dissect the incident alongside mentor @beemji and Arivu, asserting his desire for all indie artists to receive their rightful dues.
It is worth noting that ‘Enjoy Enjaami’, authored and crooned by Arivu with Dhee, and musically helmed by Santhosh, has been a wild success, amassing over a billion streams across various platforms. Despite this staggering achievement, the artists have yet to see the financial benefits they were reportedly promised by Maajja.
Santhosh shed light on the initial offers made by Maajja. The label purportedly promised the song’s creators—Dhee, Arivu, and himself—full rights, revenues, and royalties. However, following the song’s release, none of these promises materialized into payments for the trio. Efforts to engage the label for answers proved fruitless, leaving the artists in limbo regarding the earnings from their hit creation.
In the wake of unresolved remuneration and transparency issues, Santhosh Narayanan articulated his intention to establish his own music label. His aim is to provide indie artists with a fair and clear-cut channel to publish their work and reap financial benefits. This plan indicates a step towards empowering artists in the music industry.
As an alarming subplot to the unfolding situation, the composer also mentioned the recent takedown of his YouTube account. Still, he reassured indie artists that efforts are being made to secure their pending dues.
The music industry often brings to light tales of unkept promises and financial disputes. The ‘Enjoy Enjaami’ issue illustrates not just the challenges independent artists face but also their perseverance and hope for a better future in music. As the community awaits further developments, Santhosh Narayanan’s commitment to justice for indie artists remains a beacon of solidarity.
