Just like their international counterparts, SA artists are unquestionably talented and some are susceptible to the phenomenon of ripping off their fans, all in the name of what what edition.
The status quo
Artists release an album and it does kind of well in the market, a year later, a few songs are reworked and two or three new songs added on the album and if music buyers are lucky, they also get a consolation DVD comprising of a few music videos. This phenomenon is a total rip-off in that those loyal fans run to music stores as soon as their favourite artist releases an album to go get themselves the real copy and in support of saying no to piracy. The term loyal fan in this article doesn't apply to those who buy pirated CDs or Music DVDs. According to the Oxford English dictionary, the term loyal means remaining faithful to somebody and supporting them. Therefore, for the purpose of this article, a loyalist is a person who is loyal to an artist, especially in time of change. It's well know that, like any other industry, the music industry is facing change and needs to embrace technology while making money. People can easily copy an album or download their favourite song online for just R10 or for free on Nokia Music Store. Then, my major beef is why do artists rip-off their loyalists especially in this day and age where one can get a full album without even literally paying a cent that can purchase a mere cassette.
Beyonce Knowles, I am...Sasha Fierce 
I shall first start with Mrs JZ, because for a long time, until February this year, I have been wanting to buy her I am...Sasha Fierce album. Luckily for me, when I went to the store, I found that "Platinum Edition" was in the store. I understand that when she first released the album, it didn't contain the eight music videos DVDs and the behind the scenes and the interview it contains. Isn't it then, a rip-off that the die-hard fans have to buy the platinum edition to also enjoy the DVD? There is no much difference in pricing since it's only a difference of R10. Will you go back to the store and buy the platinum edition if you bought the first edition? Isn't it this extortion for fans? Just asking!
Jaziel Brothers, the beginning 
This duo is one of Mzansi's best talented brothers and, according to me, this album is a 5 star album because it contains over ten hit songs, which is very rare these days. Though some of the songs take time to grow on you, you will eventually give it to them: they are truly musical superstars who really work hard to give the best to their fans. Though I am not always the one to consider myself a fan or a groupie, I think I am slowly becoming their fan. Since their debut album, they have done well and have a SAMA under their belt. I have always wanted to get myself a copy of their album and only did so earlier this year. The album cover I bought says: Special Limited Edition - As seen on TV. Three new tracks gumba faya remix Feat Bleksem, Masambe feat Theo (Mafikizolo) & a full gospel version of Ndixolele. This isn't a limited edition at all because they just just re-run the print of the CDs are sold out in stores. This smacks of marketing gimmick! So, those who went to the store to buy the album when it first released could possibly be regretting doing so sooner. I bought this album at Musica for R129 after learning at Reliable Music Warehouse costs more. I shall not even start about the difference in pricing. My voice is for those who bought the first edition at R99 now have to fork out another R129 to also have the new exclusive songs mentioned above.
Kekeletso Phofolo: Living...Testimony, In the Holy of Holies
The first time I heard this prophet's songs was in 2007 and I immediately felt I was attending my church’s Easter conference. I enquired in the store and I was told it's Keke's Living...Testimony. I just so mara bought the DVD for R149 and I enjoyed it. To this day, I still find it as relevant as I did when I first heard it. After playing it over 15 times each week, my DVD just crashed – doesn''t play and it's only gathering dust in my CD/DVD stander. Late last year, I saw the DVD with the same price tag but this time with the words: "DVD & CD set (Free CD inside). Well I bought it. Surely there was someone who bought the CD and still wanted to buy the DVD. Now, how will they ensure that they don't get ripped off since they have the CD?
Now, In the Holy of Holies, "Live" From The Lyric Theatre, Keke rips off his fans just like he does in Spirit of Praise Vol. 1. In Spirit of Praise, there is a song that's 14 seconds long (or shorter). What do you call that? And, it's just 13 songs nogal and I bought the DVD for R175. The music is really good but my beef is the number of songs contained and the price tag. I think I did well by not buying Vol 2. Volume 1 and 2 were recorded at The South African State Theatre on the same day and released on two different albums and years. Volume two contains 10 songs. The two volumes could have been combined and come up with 23 songs. That will be a reward and appreciation for music buyers! But this, just screams of extortion. The Holy of Holies is a complete let down compared to Living...Testimony. I expected better from Keke and this album gets 2 stars from me.
Lira Live in concert, A celebration
Now, here is a lady who knows how to treat her fans, both part-time fans and loyalists. This 5 star DVD (and also available on CD), is a true classic. There are full 20 songs performed live on stage with great excellence. This DVD will go down SA's musical history books as the best of the best. With bonus features that include 3 music videos and a documentary of how Lira become a superstar, interviews with her eloquent mom, her producer-cum-husband, is a true investment and you get your money's worth. Lira also rewards you with a nearly 20 minutes long reworked version of Feel Good. This DVD costs R149 but when I bought it at Musica it was on special and I paid only R99. There is also a song called All my Love, which is from the days when she was under record label mogul Arthur Mafokate's 999 music stable. This DVD is peferct in every sense of the word and very few artists can wear the crown of this magnitude. This DVD is a perfect example of how artists should stop ripping off music buyers and give them their money’s worth. Well done Lira!
Jennifer Hudson
I fell in love with Jennifer Husdon the first time I saw her in the hit musical , Dreamgirls. Though Beyonce was the highest paid on the entire cast, Jennifer Hudson should have been the highest paid on this musical. After breaking (on the musical) up with her boyfriend Curtis (Jammie Fox), Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) hits her all-time low but her brother CC sees Curtis for what he is and goes back to home and works with her sister Effie and they release One Time Only. After the musical's international success, Jennifer Hudson released her self titled 5 star debut album which includes the song she stole the show with on Dreamgirls, And I'm telling you I'm not going. If Beyonce could include Listen in her albun why can't Jennifer Hudson include this song? I am glad she didn't do the whole thing of what what edition because I was gonna seethe after I paid R150 for this album. Thank you Jennifer Husdon for not ripping us off. I am awaiting your follow up album and also your SA-based movie Winnie.
Usher: Raymond V Raymond, Here I stand
Here I stand's Love in this club became an instant hit and saw me buying the album on its first week of release in South Africa. I enjoyed it but out of the 18 songs contained, you can count the hits. Therefore, the album is a 3 star. The problem I have is the Raymond V Raymond because if you equal that, you get = disappointment. I bought the CD in May but I am still struggling to find it featuring in my weekly playlist.
This is a 1 star album because I didn't expect this from him, especially after Here I stand. The only enjoyable songs are Monstar and Hey Daddy, the remaining 12 songs are well, just not up to scratch! This is a rip-off for part time supporters like me who heard the greatness of Here I stand and expected to be taken to another level after Here I stand.
Rebecca: Uzohamba Nami, Umthombo, My Hero.
Umthombo and Uzohamba nami, are, for me, classics out of 31 albums that Rebecca Malope has dropped. I know many bloggers here don't like her but this is one woman and artist whom I can confidently say, I am her fan and a groupie. I love her for being her. Though people tend to say negative things about her, I am quickly forgiving of her imperfections because, let's face it, no one is perfect. Rebecca is a Queen of SA gospel and wears the gospel crown that not many of her peers have even come close to wearing. She is currently on the cover of Soul Magazine with Debora Frazer. After Umthombo’s Sula ezo Nyembezi, I have been waiting for a sermon that will have me shed a tear like Sula ezo Nyembezi does. Her 2010 album, Uzo Hamba Nami's Thulúngakhali song takes the Sula ezo nyembezi sermon path and I am pleased. My Hero is a 4 star album and one could wish for her 30th album milestone, she could trade places with Uzo hamba nami because it is a 5 star album. Rebecca is one woman who doesn't rip-off her fans because she has first-hand experience of how hard people work to buy what they want. This is one album that should be nominated for SAMA’s next year. Anyway, even if she isn't nominated, we know the reason is because she is gonna become an obvious winner in that category. I am glad the Crown Gospel Music Awards gave her a Life Time Achievement Award. However, I have beef with SAMA planners for not giving the Life Time Achievement Award to this icon of perseverance. Let’s be frank here, SAMA planners owe that award to her. I am sick and tired of them honouring artists when they are dead. They never gave the late Busi Mhlongo a Live Time Achievement Award but next year you will see them saying nywe nywe nywe nywe we honour Mhlongo. Rebecca has been through it all and has inspired many South African artists across all music genres. Last time I heard she was writing her autobiography and I am eagerly anticipating it. Hopefully it will give us what we don't read in tabloids and magazines. Those who buy her music know that you get value for your money. Where can you get 18 songs for R79?
Joyous Celebration 12, 13 and 14
Growing up I was never a Joyous Celebration fan but in 2008 I decided to buy their 12th CD and DVD and I really loved 'em. It contains what true classics are made of. I still can't get enough of the phisically big Bukiwe Twani's big voice. When I first heard her voice on the CD I thought she was a man, but became suspicious when she said: "Listen to the Voice". What makes it great is that it contains double CDs and so does Joyous 13. Speaking of Joyous 13, this isn't a 5-star album. It only gets 3 stars from me.
I luuuurve Charisma's song and it's truly great. It's not everyday that one can actually dance to an Afrikaans gospel song, I'm not talking about kwai-gospel. Joyous 14 can be a 5 star but I am struggling to listen to disc one. I find disc 2 to be far much more greater and this is one group that gives you what you deserve with your hard-earned cash.
Theo Kgosinkwe, I am
The cover of the current edition says: Limited edition CD+DVD. CD includes the bonus remix - Step into my world, DVD includes 4 videos. Doesn't the "limited edition" part snack of marketing gimmick? Again, I pose the same questions as to what about those who bought this album when he first released it. I bought the CD last week for R110. Well, this is a 4 star album and I only bought this CD because I was hosting a party last weekend and have been shrugging off the idea of purchasing it. I know a friend of mine is a fan and a groupie of his. The CD is good but I have beef with the DVD because Theo didn't do an interview on the DVD. Theo, it is common practice that when you release a DVD, you talk the viewers through your songs and give us behind the scenes sneak pick. Also, A day in a life of… wouldn't be detrimental to your budget as it will show music buyers that you are committed to giving them first class music experience.
Well, I made a point that I will buy this album since Nhlanhla Nciza is disbanding Mafikizolo. I shall not buy Nhlanhla's music because she doesn't want Mafikizolo to continue with Tebogo's legacy, no matter how good it may be, I shall not buy any of Nhlanhla’s solo albums. I shall only buy Theo's music because Nhlanhla is now all self-centred and even went to her husband TS Records’ music stable. Theo did good by starting his own record label. I don't see Mafikizolo releasing an album in the near future because Theo will want his company to release it and Nlhanhla and hubby will want the first lady of TS Records to bring business home.
That’s my take on how I see the music industry and its somewhat injustices to music buyers. What’s your take?