According to ZiMoja, yesterday, the atmosphere at Exclusive Books in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, was electric as platinum-selling musician and businesswoman Dudu “Lady Du” Ngwenya launched her highly anticipated book, “Fame or Business.” The event was a resounding success, with copies selling out on the first day, leaving fans eager for restocks.
Lady Du, who boasts over a decade of business acumen and a lifetime of music industry insight, has created a compelling narrative that merges her personal journey with invaluable advice. She won her first DJing competition at the tender age of nine, guided by the musical prowess of her father, veteran R&B DJ Choc, and her uncle, DJ Zan D. Music is undeniably in her blood, and her book promises to share the hard-earned wisdom she’s accumulated over the years.
“‘Fame or Business’ is essentially a deep dive into the music industry,” Lady Du explained. “With all the experience I’ve had, and hearing people constantly complain about royalties, masters, and exploitation, I felt it was time to help people understand the industry better. We’ve done extensive research to explain publishing, how labels operate, and what it truly means to be independent.”
The book addresses a range of pressing issues within the music world, from exploitative contracts to misunderstood deals. Lady Du’s mission is clear: to educate and empower her readers, preventing them from falling into the same traps that have ensnared so many artists before them. “People are signing deals they don’t know about, getting into contracts they don’t understand, and signing life sentences. This book is educational and non-fiction, aimed at shedding light on these complex topics,” she emphasised.
The launch event wasn’t just about the book; it was a celebration of Lady Du’s journey and her dedication to making a difference in the industry. On Instagram, she shared the excitement with her followers, posting a snippet of the book sale and expressing her gratitude: “Guess what friends, we sold out!!! Melrose Arch yesterday. Kindly get more books from Sandton Exclusive Books and Rosebank Exclusive Books. We will restock Melrose for Monday. Thank you to everyone that came to my launch, yesterday was amazing. Shot by @ok_majozi. Thank you to @phaseupconnect_publishers for helping me make this dream come true.”
