- Shatta Wale gives up mechanical rights to Stevie Wonder and H.I.T to Rufftown Records
- Wendy Shay praises the gesture as a rare act of kindness in the music industry
- Rufftown Records will now receive all royalties from sales, streams, and reproductions
Songstress Wendy Shay has publicly praised Shatta Wale for a rare gesture of generosity after the Dancehall star transferred his mechanical rights for two of their hit collaborations to Rufftown Records, her record label.
Shatta Wale gave up his share of the mechanical rights to their 2018 hit “Stevie Wonder”, which has garnered over 6 million views on YouTube, and their 2020 track “H.I.T (Haters In Tears)”, which has amassed nearly 9 million views.
Reacting on social media, Wendy Shay expressed her gratitude and surprise, calling the act uncommon in the music industry.
“I witnessed something yesterday and I still cannot believe it. Shatta Wale gave all his mechanical rights on Stevie Wonder and H.I.T to Rufftown Records.
I don’t know how many people can show such kindness in this industry. A King for a reason. More blessings, King,” she wrote.
Mechanical rights refer to the royalties earned when a song is reproduced, distributed, or streamed—whether digitally or through physical formats like CDs. These rights ensure the creator or rights holder is compensated for each reproduction or sale.
By transferring these rights, Shatta Wale has effectively shifted long-term royalty earnings from both songs to Rufftown Records. This move bolsters the label’s financial position, allowing it to benefit fully from future sales, streams, and other reproductions of the tracks.
Wendy Shay and Shatta Wale have maintained a strong relationship over the years, often showing mutual support. Their bond was particularly visible when Rufftown CEO, Bullet, backed Shatta Wale during his recent legal issues involving the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and a disputed vehicle ownership case.
