Singer Marine Uwase Ingabire, commonly known by her stage name as Marina, is the latest artiste to leave the Mane Music record label after more than three years of pursuing music under the label’s management. Marina becomes the third member to leave the music management label within a week after fellow artiste Queen Cha and manager Aristide Gahunzire announced their contract termination with their boss, Ramadhan Mupende, who is now based in the United States. As shown in the letter she released on Wednesday, April 28, Marina made the decision a week ago. “It is with regret that I would like to inform you that I’m terminating my contract with The Mane Music with effect from April 21, for some reasons preferably I didnt want to share in this letter which are clearly regarding my growth musically and pursuing my career in a different direction, a statement that Marina posted on her social media platforms reads in part. Earlier on, the singer was not on good terms with her management after she was denied the opportunity to participate in the inaugural edition of The Next Popstar music contest. She tried to take part in it without the consent of her management but later pulled out to avoid breach of her contract with the label. As she embarks on a new music chapter without The Mane, Marina called on her fans to keep showing support for her music. “To all my music lovers,... you have been supportive since day one, you gave me a chance, accepted me, and made me who I am today. This is the time I need you more than ever and, given the circumstances, I would like you to stick with me in this new journey,” she said. Upcoming artiste Calvin Mbanda remains the only singer in The Mane, but, as an artiste who wants to build a successful career, his commitment to keep working with Bad Rama hangs in the balance. Rapper Jay Polly and former Urban Boys’ Safi Madiba, who were also contracted under The Mane, left the label in 2019. The label’s CEO is expected to hold an online press conference live on Instagram on Saturday, May 1, where he will shed light on the current situation surrounding the exit of artistes from his music label and what the future holds for the label.
