A group of singers has filed a judicial protest against Felix Busuttil, the organizer behind YADA, over claims of unpaid performance fees.
The legal action was submitted after the artists said they had not received payment for appearances at events organized under the YADA brand in recent months. According to the protest, multiple performers were engaged for shows with the understanding that fees would be settled within an agreed timeframe, but the payments never materialized despite repeated follow-ups.
The singers allege that the outstanding amounts cover both individual gigs and collaborative performances, and that the lack of payment has caused financial strain. Their representatives said the judicial protest is a formal step to put Busuttil on notice and to seek resolution before pursuing further legal action.
In response, Busuttil has acknowledged there were delays but maintains that discussions are ongoing to address the matter. He said YADA remains committed to supporting local artists and that efforts are being made to clear pending obligations as soon as possible.
The dispute has drawn attention within Malta’s music scene, where performers have increasingly spoken out about payment issues and contract transparency. Industry bodies have called for clearer agreements and better protections for artists working with event promoters.
For now, the judicial protest sets the stage for potential court proceedings if an agreement is not reached. The singers say their goal is not confrontation, but to ensure they are fairly compensated for work already carried out.
