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It has become easier to protect artists and their songs than before – Mr. Eazi
Nigerian artist and entrepreneur Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, has highlighted significant advancements in protecting music copyrights through technology. He emphasized that the music industry now employs more sophisticated copyright protection systems than in previous years.
Speaking on a panel discussing Fintech and the Creative Economy at the 3i Africa Summit held from May 13 to May 15, 2024, in Accra, Mr Eazi shared insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing music creation and production.
Mr. Eazi’s remarks shed light on the intersection of technology and the music industry, showcasing the strides being made to safeguard artists’ intellectual property rights in the digital age.
“You know, music today is one of the most advanced copyright protection systems in the world. With Shazam, you can identify a song instantly, whether it was made in Kumasi or Tamale. Each uploaded song has a digital DNA and an international ASRC number. At Empawa, my music label, we’ve successfully frozen monetization on major artists’ albums when they’ve used our producers’ work without credit, ensuring proper attribution.”
He has also highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry.
“In terms of your question of what AI does, right now, true AI is assisting creatives,” Mr. Eazi explained.
Reflecting on his experience with Beyonce’s “The Lion King: The Gift” project, where he produced three tracks, he emphasized how the creative process has evolved. “We got into this room, and there were so many creatives making music. Before, when I was making music, I had to write, use tests and errors, and come up with melodies manually. But now, with AI, I can feed in my voice, and it helps create songs that sound authentic, enhancing our creativity. Good technology always makes things easier.”
Additionally, Mr. Eazi highlighted how his platform, Pawa Pay, revolutionizes payments for creatives worldwide.
“It’s crazy. This is the future for Africa. Through my investment in Pawa Pay, we’ve been able to pay dancers across the continent. When we release a song, we might need to pay 50 to 100 TikTokers, aged 18 and up, between $100 to $1,000 per post. We can now send this money to 20 African countries simultaneously. If they don’t get paid, they won’t upload their videos. Payments are made before the performance, and thanks to FinTech and mobile money, we can distribute funds directly to their mobile wallets.”
The significant influence of AI and technology on the creative economy was highlighted by Mr. Eazi’s remarks at the 3i Africa Summit. He painted a picture of a future in which technology will continue to safeguard intellectual property, simplify, and improve the creative process.
To design the way for the digital future of the continent, leaders, politicians, and innovators from throughout Africa and beyond convened for Ghana’s first-ever summit of this kind.
The 3i Africa Summit 2024 created a forum for deep discussion and cooperation, paving the way for a new phase of creativity and expansion throughout the continent.
Renowned global stakeholders flocked to the 3i Africa Summit, which was themed “Unleashing Africa’s FinTech and Digital Economic Potential.” Leading the charge was the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG), working with Elevandi, which was founded by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.