Former El World Music alleged co-founder makes allegations. Phethelo Nkosi, who says he co-founded El World Music with South African DJ and producer Sanele Sithole, popularly known as Sun-El Musician, has publicly accused the musician of failing to pay him and other creators money he says has been outstanding since 2021.
Nkosi claims the amount owed to him and other creators exceeds R10 million. The allegations have surfaced publicly in a video shared in which Nkosi speaks about his history with El World Music and his dispute with Sun-El.
The claim has not, however, been independently verified, and it is not clear from the available public information how the alleged R10 million figure is calculated, which creators are included in the amount, or whether the matter has been formally taken to court.
Nkosi speaks out
In the video, Nkosi identifies himself as a founder of El World Music and accuses Sun-El of failing to pay what he believes is his share, as well as money allegedly due to other people involved in the music-making process.
The allegations are significant because El World Music has previously been associated with the development and release of music by artists including Simmy and S-Tone. Music In Africa’s profile of Sun-El records that he established his own record label, El World Music, and signed artists including Simmy and S-Tone.
What Sun-El Musician has said
Sun-El Musician has not, in the publicly accessible sources reviewed for this report, issued a direct response to Nkosi’s R10 million allegation.
” I am a co-fouder of El World Music. We were friends before starting the company. We were both directors and we managed to sign artists Simmy, Azana, Sino Msolo just to name a few. Sanele took over the business form 2021, since then I have not received any of my shares. There is royalties worth R7 million which I have not received. There is payment from the sync deals which is about R5 million.”
He alleges Sun-El drives the latest G-Wagon.
“He knows I took his child to private schools and took care of his brother. The money was paid. You know you are not the sole owner of El World. I did everything for youa nd your brother”
He says the money he owes him and other artists exceed R10 million. We don’t wanna be famous. Everyone knows and will tell you who is the man behind El World.”
In a July 2026 interview with Oskido, Sun-El acknowledged that earlier in his career he paid little attention to his finances and allowed someone else to handle them.
The allegation remains disputed
At this stage, the matter consists primarily of Nkosi’s public allegations, while a detailed public response from Sun-El could not be established from the sources reviewed.
Sun-El remains an established South African DJ, producer and musician. Music In Africa lists him as the founder of El World Music and notes his work with artists including Simmy and S-Tone.
The R10 million figure should therefore be treated as an allegation rather than an established debt unless supporting financial records, contractual documentation, a formal legal finding or a response from Sun-El and his representatives establishes otherwise.
