As old as the music business itself, so it the problem of song ownership and theft.
Numerous artists have battled over the ownership of particular songs with other artists, record labels over the years. The ownership of the well-known song “Machala” is the subject of an ongoing debate that has sparked discussion online. 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE in this write up examines this specific case and related incidents.
Nigerian musicians lock horns over song ownership
Due to the sketches he has performed in, Efe, aka Carter Efe, was better known as an Instagram comedian. However, when Efe revealed that a brand-new song called “Machala” was coming out, many people were taken aback. He was rumored to be Berri Tiga, an artist. However, there was great confusion when people heard the song and realized that Berri Tiga sang a sizable amount of it. In actuality, Carter didn’t appear until the beginning and only sang.
Many people believed Carter was the song’s legitimate owner and that the couple had a good working relationship because Berri did not complain. Thus, it was unexpected to learn that the song had been removed from a number of music streaming services, including Apple Music and Spotify.
Efe just revealed a screenshot of a communication in which Berri Tiga expressed her gratitude for the chance to appear in the song. Efe also asserted that Hotkid, another musician, contributed a verse to the song, Tiga, though, begged him to take it off because he believed Hotkid would “take the shine” off the song. He continued, saying Berri was thanking him for the chance while also claiming ownership of the song on Instagram.
The song supposedly held the top spot on many of the music streaming services available in the nation, according to certain internet publications.
2. AY/Terry G (Pass Me your Love)
Many people still recall Gabriel Amanyi (Terry G) and Ayoola Johnson (Ay.comugly )’s argument over a song, despite the fact that neither performer is as well-known as they once were. The song “Pass Me Your Love” by Ay.com was once among the most popular in the nation. He collaborated with another popular performer, Terry G. at the time.
Ay requested that Terry stop singing the song at concerts and other events after their relationship soured. He said that Terry G was performing the song like it was his own and stealing the spotlight.
Ay once barged into an event where Terry G was performing the song at the height of their feud. The former entered the stage and declared, “”Whenever you are tricked, you must speak up. You would lose out otherwise. What took place between Terry G and I was inevitable. I have a message for my followers. The music is mine.
“How would you feel if another man was enjoying the benefits of your labor after all your hard work? As he was singing the song, he was getting paid.
As the home’s legal owner, I would be at home by myself and idle. I even suggested that whenever he had a gig, we should perform the song jointly, but he seemed unreceptive. Please stop Terry G from singing “Pass Me Your Love” whenever you see him in order to support the Nigerian music industry, I ask all of my followers.
Ay, however, asserted that the dispute had been settled peacefully in a five years ago interview with Sunday PUNCH. “Me and Terry G is an old issue, and I really don’t like to talk about it anymore,” he remarked. We are now “cool” with one another. We work together as colleagues, and nobody can say whether we’ll ever collaborate with him again.
Over ten years after the original song was released, Ay.com just uploaded the remix, seemingly still attached to the tune. He used Peruzzi on the remix. It did not, however, perform as well as the original version. ”
3. Seyi Shay and Tiwa Savage (Lova Lova)
Tiwa Savage and Seyi Shay, two female singers, have been inseparable for as long as most people can remember. Their conflict reached a head in a hair salon. Tiwa could be heard yelling when Shay approached her to meet her in Internet videos that went viral.
Shay was asked by Savage not to welcome her because Shay had spoken poorly of her and is aware of this.
Shortly after that occurrence, Duncan Mighty’s song, “Lova Lova,” on which Seyi Shay was featured, had a stanza that Seyi Shay claimed she authored. She also implied that Savage had done some things to damage the reputation of the brand. She remarked, “This is the same individual who stole my tune, ‘Lova Lova,’ one of her most well-known songs ever.
‘’That song was written with me, but when I told her I co-wrote it over the phone, she refused to pay me because she didn’t believe me. She was the same lady who attacked a well-known musician for appearing on my song after the musician had also appeared on her own song. She also contacted a well-known company to withdraw me as an Ambassador.
All of these have been occurring for years, but I have said nothing. Simply put, it’s unfortunate.
The pair hugged at a concert in December 2021, suggesting that they had apparently moved past the incident.
It is also important to note that Danny Young, an artist, once sued Savage for N200 million. Young claims that Savage borrowed some of the lyrics from his song “Oju Ti Ti Won” for her song “All Over.”
The dispute was later resolved outside of court by both parties.
4. Poco/Portable Lee (Zazzu Zeh)
To say that Habeeb Okikiola, as Portable, is one of today’s most divisive performers would be an understatement.
The singer has primarily been performing since he rose to fame in the later half of 2021, Most of the time, the performer has been in the press incorrectly.
Recall that he first gained notoriety when his song, “Zazzu Zeh,” on which he collaborated with rapper Olamide, was released. His notoriety soared, and he received invitations to play at numerous events.
He did, however, accuse Poco Lee of trying to rip (cheat) him, therefore their romance did not survive for very long. He asserted that he was the owner of the song that Poco Lee had put to the Internet.
Poco Lee was accused of stealing a song by Portable shortly after performing at Wizkid’s performance in December. In the video, Portable also claimed that Wizkid had sprayed Poco Lee with $3,000 for stealing the tune. He said in Yoruba, “Wizkid blessed me ,”
I have $3,000. However, the dancer Poco Lee chose the cash. He gave me $600 out of a total of $3,000. I live on the streets. Poco Lee, you did not exhibit any affection. Instead, you meant to rip (cheat) me off. Are you the song’s rightful owner? Why wasn’t the song credited to “Poco Lee with Portable and Olamide” as it should have been? Are you insane? You ought to value yourself.
Poco Lee has cut ties with vocalist Portable as a result of the numerous issues in which the musician has been embroiled. I wish I had never removed that chatty annoyance from the trenches, Lee wrote in a tweet that many assumed to be directed at the artist.
5. Innocent Idibia’s 2Baba/Blackfaze (African Queen)
Both Ahmedu Obiabo (Blackfaze) and Innocent Idibia (2baba, also known as 2face), who hail from Benue State, were formerly members of Plantashun Boiz. However, the erstwhile friends and partners’ relationship has come undone.
One of the singer’s most popular tracks, “African Queen,” was released by 2baba after he decided to pursue a solo career. His first solo album, “Face 2 Face,” contains it.
Later, Blackfaze stepped out to claim authorship of the song, a claim that 2baba did not contest.
Blackfaze eventually started insulting 2baba at any chance he got. This prompted the latter to file a N50 million character defamation lawsuit against Blackfaze.
Despite attempts to patch things up by various parties involved and significant figures, the truce never holds.
But in 2019, they both consent to an out-of-court settlement. “After the successful mediation, Blackfaze pledged not to publicly accuse 2baba again, while 2baba agreed to make all the required repairs and amendments that had prohibited Blackfaze from getting royalties,” a person close to the couple is quoted as saying.
Even after that, Blackfaze released his own version of “African Queen,” but it wasn’t nearly as successful as 2baba’s version.
