The music industry is known for plagiarism which weirdly has become like an acceptable thing amongst artiste.
But, even as acceptable as it has become, a lot of those whose songs are stolen, in a way get little or nothing out of this while some get like a minute or highest 30 minutes fame out of it.
Now, this trend is no stranger to even the biggest shot caller in the game as the reigning kings of the music industry tops this list
Today, we will be discussing five artistes who copied/stole some one or two of their hit songs/materials from upcoming/top artistes in the industry
Now, before we get right into the post, please note that this is in no way a hate post, as I personally love all the artistes on the list. So, if you feel your fingers are itching so much you need to type a rude comment, kindly place them on your severely cracked wall, distorted kitchen sink or any barb wired fence.
2. Davido/Password/Gobe: In 2014, I alongside millions of Nigerians danced to this awesome song from Davido. Gobe, was like the only song even people in the northern part of the country would want to listen to day in day out, yes it was that big. This song brought him unprecedented fame that I dare say catapulted him from an ‘Oh its that boy Davido‘ to ‘Na Davido music we want here o’ Gobe was so big, Password(Real owner) could no longer shrug off the pain and jealousy that was gingerly hanging up on his shoulder. Password himself had released the same song in 2011, but did nothing for his career before Davido, took over and made it a hit. He reportedly paid N500,000 after copyright claims cropped up.
3. Wizkid/Dammy Krane/Babanla: Even before this claim surfaced, Wizkid has for a while been hit with all sort of song theft accusations, which got most people wondering if the ‘Pakurumo’ crooner, was not smart enough to write himself some hit song. Dammy Krane, an artiste signed unto Tuface’s Hypertek records, took to social media to vent. From stealing materials to actually stealing the song Babanla, what makes this interesting, Dammy Krane got paid with a bottle smashed on his head and comedians poking fun at his being until he could handle it no more.
4. Olamide/ D’banj/Don’t Stop: Yes, he made the list. Even after D’banj came out claiming the song was given to him, the same D’banj said artistes could come to his place, whatever material they see and like, they are allowed to take. According to D’banj: “I have songs you guys have not heard. I have songs that I’m about to release with producers you guys have asked me to work with. From time, anyone can come into my studio and listen to our songs and not just Olamide can come in. To me, it’s not stealing, I see it as inspiration. ….This particular one, this is a line I have been saying for a long time, “Shake it, don’t break it, it took your mama nine months to make it.” I actually heard it from Prince Aremo Oniru. Even Baddo (Olamide) had played about it saying, “Baba if you no use this line I go use am o” but I said I go use am”….need I say more?
5. Sean Tizzle/Sound Sultan/Sho Lee: Sho Lee shot Sean Tizzle from a singer status to a fast rising singer in no time. The song was a massive hit. It was so massive that it got the attention of the label, Naija Ninjas, Sean Tizzle was signed to before he left abruptly, violating his contract. The case was taken to court before both team decided on amicably settling the issue to avoid unnecessary amount of money being wasted on legal fees.
But, even as acceptable as it has become, a lot of those whose songs are stolen, in a way get little or nothing out of this while some get like a minute or highest 30 minutes fame out of it.
Now, this trend is no stranger to even the biggest shot caller in the game as the reigning kings of the music industry tops this list
Today, we will be discussing five artistes who copied/stole some one or two of their hit songs/materials from upcoming/top artistes in the industry
Now, before we get right into the post, please note that this is in no way a hate post, as I personally love all the artistes on the list. So, if you feel your fingers are itching so much you need to type a rude comment, kindly place them on your severely cracked wall, distorted kitchen sink or any barb wired fence.
- Tuface/Blackface/African Queen: This right here was like the epic of all song theft case in the history of the Nigerian music scene. The evergreen song, ‘African Queen’ powerfully rendered by Tuface became a smashing hit in no time, placing him in the hall of fame for legends in the entertainment industry. African queen not only topped charts, it went global. It became the song, Hollywood practitioners could directly link with Nigeria without as much as scattering their Ed Sheeran locks (Their brand of dread). Seeing how much fame Tuface got from this one song and is still getting, Blackface, one half of Plantashaun boys, Tuface’s former boy band group, rose up like Timon and Pumbaa, who are always on the look out for worms, began ranting. He made it clear to everyone who would listen that he owned and wrote the song. Years after, even after the case seemed to have died down with Tuface reportedly paying for the said song, Blackface still stylishly makes reference to it, but can we blame him, its ‘African Queen’ that’s like the song that can change anyone’s career assuming you have the same charisma and humility like Tuface. Reports also claims that the song African Queen was actually sung by a Jamaican, Sizzla Kolonji in other words, Tuface stole a stolen song.
2. Davido/Password/Gobe: In 2014, I alongside millions of Nigerians danced to this awesome song from Davido. Gobe, was like the only song even people in the northern part of the country would want to listen to day in day out, yes it was that big. This song brought him unprecedented fame that I dare say catapulted him from an ‘Oh its that boy Davido‘ to ‘Na Davido music we want here o’ Gobe was so big, Password(Real owner) could no longer shrug off the pain and jealousy that was gingerly hanging up on his shoulder. Password himself had released the same song in 2011, but did nothing for his career before Davido, took over and made it a hit. He reportedly paid N500,000 after copyright claims cropped up.
3. Wizkid/Dammy Krane/Babanla: Even before this claim surfaced, Wizkid has for a while been hit with all sort of song theft accusations, which got most people wondering if the ‘Pakurumo’ crooner, was not smart enough to write himself some hit song. Dammy Krane, an artiste signed unto Tuface’s Hypertek records, took to social media to vent. From stealing materials to actually stealing the song Babanla, what makes this interesting, Dammy Krane got paid with a bottle smashed on his head and comedians poking fun at his being until he could handle it no more.
4. Olamide/ D’banj/Don’t Stop: Yes, he made the list. Even after D’banj came out claiming the song was given to him, the same D’banj said artistes could come to his place, whatever material they see and like, they are allowed to take. According to D’banj: “I have songs you guys have not heard. I have songs that I’m about to release with producers you guys have asked me to work with. From time, anyone can come into my studio and listen to our songs and not just Olamide can come in. To me, it’s not stealing, I see it as inspiration. ….This particular one, this is a line I have been saying for a long time, “Shake it, don’t break it, it took your mama nine months to make it.” I actually heard it from Prince Aremo Oniru. Even Baddo (Olamide) had played about it saying, “Baba if you no use this line I go use am o” but I said I go use am”….need I say more?
5. Sean Tizzle/Sound Sultan/Sho Lee: Sho Lee shot Sean Tizzle from a singer status to a fast rising singer in no time. The song was a massive hit. It was so massive that it got the attention of the label, Naija Ninjas, Sean Tizzle was signed to before he left abruptly, violating his contract. The case was taken to court before both team decided on amicably settling the issue to avoid unnecessary amount of money being wasted on legal fees.
Comments
Post a Comment