Nigerian Artists may be innocent of some things, not just Copyright Infringement as some of them constantly find themselves being accused of stealing other people’s work.

Plagiarism has almost completely taken over the music industry, as artists see copying other people’s intellectual property as no big problem. Some argue that it is inescapable because a piano has only so many notes and a guitar has only so many chord configurations.

Others, on the other hand, will swear blind that stealing, ripping, robbing, and snatching a riff, melody, or tone from another artist’s music is categorically unacceptable.

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In this article, Mp3bullet.ng highlights well-known artists whose identities have been dragged through the mud after being accused of Copyright Infringement.

Wizkid vs Tony Tetulia

Wizkid, a Nigerian music sensation, is on this list after being accused of song theft years ago. Wizkid was hit with a 30 million Naira lawsuit by renowned singer Tony Tetuila in December 2019. Wizkid and DJ Tunez allegedly copied content from Tony’s “Fefe N’efe” music and used it in their “Gbese” single, according to the lawsuit.

2Baba vs Blackface

This was the biggest of all song theft cases in Nigerian music history.

Former Plantashun Boiz members 2face and Blackface have been at odds for a long time over copyright problems. The immensely hit ‘African Queen,’ for which 2face received fame, is said to have been composed by Blackface. However, 2face later paid Blackface royalties from the song.

Blackface later accused 2Baba again of also denying him credit in the song ‘Let Somebody Love You’ which they both wrote together in their days as Plantashun Boiz. 2face later featured American singer, Bridget Kelly in the song, and included it in his The Ascension album.

Tiwa Savage vs Danny Young

In 2019, Danny Young filed a N200 million copyright suit against Savage for her 2018 song, ‘One’, which he claimed she copied from his 2009 single, “Oju Tiwon”.

In the suit, he sought a declaration that by copying, performing, and distributing literary work and music lyrics authored and owned by him without lawful authority, the defendants have infringed on his copyright.

Later that same year, in an update to the story, Danny Young revealed that they have settled out of court. He made this known on his Instagram page.

Davido vs Password

Davido, the Omo Baba Olowo singer, was accused of copyright infringement in 2013 by an up-and-coming artist, Password, who claimed he stole the premise and lyrics of the song “Gobe.”

According to reports, Password had initially released Gobe in 2011 but didn’t make a hit. It was later reported that Davido bought the song from Password for 500 thousand Naira.

Mr. P of P-square v Henry Knight

In 2018, an upcoming singer, Henry Knight via his Instagram page posted a message accusing Peter Okoye of plagiarizing and duplicating his song without giving proper credit.

Henry Knight accused Peter Okoye (Mr. P) of lifting content from his song, Ebeano, without proper credit.

The musician vented his frustrations on Instagram, blaming major artists of hindering the development of up-and-coming artists.

Henry Knight played both songs side by side with his lengthy caption to expose Mr. P’s apparent attempt to duplicate his hook (chorus). Mr. P, on the other hand, never mentioned the incident in public. It’s supposed that they’ve worked out their differences in private.

Simi, Jaywon vs Victor Uwaifo

In November 2017, legendary artist and one-time Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Edo State, Sir Victor Uwaifo, accused Jaywon and Simi of remixing his song “Joromi” without his consent.

In an interview with Vanguard, Sir Victor Uwaifo stated that he would prefer not to take both of them to court for not getting permission from him before remixing the song as the original composer, but that he wishes they had done the right thing.

The legendary singer later sued Simi at the federal high court for N50 million. They must have settled in private because nothing was heard ever again of the issue.

Timi Dakolo vs Majek Fashek

in July 2016, Majek Fashek threatened to sue Timi Dakolo for remaking his song titled ‘Send Down The Rain’ in 2013 without his permission.

The iconic reggae singer told Punch Newspaper that The Voice Nigeria judge Timi Dakolo infringed on his copyright law by stealing his legendary classic Send Down the Rain song in 2013.

He called him a sub-par artiste and compared him to his peers, fellow The Voice Nigeria coach 2Baba, Wizkid and Olamide.

“I felt bad when I learnt that he worked on my song without my consent. He did not even give me credit. He is a very bad artiste and he took advantage of the circumstance that I was facing during that time. The song is not a normal song; it is a spiritual hit song. Timi Dakolo does not know how I suffered to get that song. I fasted for seven days before I got that song. I partook in three days ‘white’ fasting before the song came to me. Timi Dakolo did not go through that. I did not fight him because I do not have time. Let God judge us,” he said.

Timi Dakolo responded to the allegations on his Instagram page, saying he rightfully paid Majek’s manager for the rights to remake the song, and he even has the receipts to prove it.

“MY PEOPLE IT TRULY SADDENS ME TO SEE SUCH… I ALWAYS TRY TO DO THINGS RIGHTLY AND LAWFULLY… I PAID HIS MANAGER TO REMAKE THE SONG,I GOT MY INVOICE…I EVEN MENTIONED TO HIM DURING OUR REHEARSALS AT THE HEADIES.. SO HONESTLY I DONT UNDERSTAND THIS WRITE UP… OGA MAJEK FASHEK..I RESPECT AND LOVE YOU…YOUR VOICE GIVES LIFE TO LYRICS… YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST MUSICIANS I KNOW..GOD BLESS YOU..”

Tekno vs Danfo Drivers

In 2018, The pair of Mountain Black and Mad Melon (real names Jimoh Olotu and Omeofa Oghene respectively), of the ‘Danfo Drivers’ fame accused producer and artiste, Tekno of sampling one of their songs without permission.

In an interview with Wazobia TV, the duo said that Tekno’s song titled ‘Jogodo’ is a sample of their 2008 song titled ‘Kpolongo’.

They also said during the interview that they came to Lagos to hunt for Tekno and collect the money/royalties he owes them for sampling their song without permission.

However, days later, a high-powered meeting was set up at the residence of a successful socialite and entrepreneur where the issue was said to have been resolved.

A source, who was at the meeting revealed that Tekno known for his peaceful nature apologised to the ‘Danfo Drivers’ and gave them a substantial amount of money as compensation.

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Kcee vs Jude Nnam

In 2021, the social media was agog with the news of a court case instituted against ‘Limpopo’ crooner and Five Stars records artiste, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo better known as Kcee, over alleged copyright infringement of ‘Som Too Chukwu’, a 2001 track by Jude Nnam, Nigerian music composer and performer.

Jude Nnam had, in the suit alleged that Kcee copied his lyrics for his 2021 Okwesili Eze Group-assisted single titled ‘Cultural Praise Vol 1’.

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