A US-based record label has lost its attempt to stop Kenya’s Copyright Tribunal from hearing claims brought by two Kenyan musicians, including a Sh87 million compensation case filed by Gengetone star ‘Fathermoh’.
The High Court has lifted orders that had temporarily stopped the tribunal from hearing the disputes involving Black Market Records, ‘Fathermoh’ (Moses Otieno Ojwang) and ‘Harry Craze’ (Harry Otieno Adoyo).
The decision clears the way for the two musicians to pursue their claims against the record label, which they accuse of infringing their copyright and denying them control over their music.
Kenyan musician Moses Otieno, popularly known as Fathermoh addresses participants during BoomFest Music Festival announcement launch by Boomplay at Nairobi Street Kitchen on March 14, 2024.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
‘Fathermoh’ is seeking Sh87 million in compensation, while ‘Harry Craze’ has filed a separate claim involving songs including Matopare , Luku Ni Pyam and Diglo .
The dispute dates back to an agreement signed between the musicians and Black Market Records on November 9, 2019.
Black Market Records has become synonymous with the Kenyan music industry, popularised by producing Gengetone and Urbantone hits in the country. However, it is registered and owned by US citizen Cedric Singleton, who founded the label in Ohio in 1989.
Mr Singleton, a former DJ and radio presenter, challenged the Copyright Tribunal’s power to hear a case presented by the two artistes who, ironically, were signed to his label, Black Market Records.
On September 29, 2026, he obtained temporary court orders that stopped the tribunal from proceeding with the two cases as the label challenged its authority.
‘Fathermoh’ and ‘Harry Craze’ opposed the move, accusing the label of withholding important information from the court.
They also questioned whether Black Market Records LLC was still legally registered and authorised to bring the case.
The musicians cited California company records showing that Black Market Records was registered in 1999 but that its registration had later been suspended. They said there was no evidence that the rights under the disputed agreement had been transferred to another active company.
However, the label disputed this. In an affidavit, its manager, Kim Bush, said the company was still operating and in good standing. He explained that it moved its main operations to Florida in 2015.
Black Market Records also argued that the High Court had previously handled the wider copyright dispute and should therefore determine the matter.
Harry Craze performs at the Oktobafest Kisumu Edition at Attela Beach Resort, Kisumu on November 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
The court, however, found that the label had failed to give a complete account of the dispute when seeking the orders.
It noted that the company had left out important details about appeals, earlier court proceedings and the status of related commercial cases.
The judge said the missing information could have changed the court’s decision and that the temporary orders would not have been granted had all the details been disclosed.
The court also said the label should have allowed the Copyright Tribunal to handle the dispute before turning to the High Court.
