- Veteran singer Baba Fryo called out Nasboi over the alleged theft of lyrics from his song ‘Denge pose’
- This is not the first time copyright infringement accusations have risen in Nigerian music industry
- TheRadar highlights 6 copyright infringement accusations in the Nigerian music industry
Veteran Nigerian singer Friday Igweh, popularly known as Baba Fryo, recently called out his colleague, Nasboi, over copyright infringement.
Baba Fryo alleged that Nasboi copied part of his lyrics on ‘Denge Pose’, which was infused into Nasboi’s latest song, ‘Short Skirt’.
In a short video clip on Tuesday, August 20, the legendary artiste, who is known for street songs, threatened to take legal action if Nasboi fails to reach out to him.
According to him, in Pidgin English, it is not the first time young artistes have copied his songs without permission, and he is ready to put a stop to it.
“You see that song Wey Nasboi sing, Wey e sing about short skirt. My line dey inside the music.Dem go dey pose, Dem go dey denge, denge. So, anybody Wey know Nasboi make dem tell am make e reach me o before water go pass carry.
As I dey like this so, I no dey happy and this one must be the last time Wey anybody go do my music or copy my music without telling me. So, make una tell am make e reach me before I take action.” Baba Fryo said.
Baba Fryo’s ‘Dem go dey pose’ is a popular street song released in the late 90s. The song was written in Pidgin English to become popular with its invented ‘Galala’ dance steps. Baba Fryo is in the rank of veteran singers like Daddy Show and Daddy Fresh.
Meanwhile, many reactions to the new development on social media and monitoring by TheRadar revealed that the accusation is a PR stunt to promote Nasboi’s new song release ‘Short Skirt.’
6 copyright infringement cases in Nigerian music industry
Following Baba Fryo’s latest copyright accusation against Nasboi, TheRadar compiled a list of popular copyright infringement cases, with most from Blackface, an ex-member of the now-dissolved music group Plantashun Boiz. See list below:
- Blackface vs 2baba
Blackface had called out Tuface, now 2baba, over ownership of the hit single ‘African Queen’. Blackface claimed he wrote the song and the copyright infringement was later taken to court for resolution.
- Wizkid vs Blackface
Similarly, Blackface accused Wizkid of lifting his (Blackface) song ‘Twist & Turn’ to incorporate into his (Wizkid) single ‘Ginger’ featuring Burna Boy.
- Blackface vs Wizkid vs Banky W
In 2011, another copyright infringement case ensued between Wizkid, Banky W and Blackface. According to Blackface, they had used his song ‘Like The Way’ to make ‘Slow Whine’ off Wizkid’s debut album ‘Superstar.’
- Blackface vs Shallopopi
When Shallipopi dropped his debut album, Shakespopi, Blackface called out his colleague (Shallipopi) for copying his song ‘Enemy Plan.’ He queried if Nigerian artistes couldn't sing without copying his works. There was no reaction from Shallipopi following the accusation.
- Blackface vs Asake
During a session at Naija FM, Blackface claimed Asake copied his track ‘Ikebe Supper’ to make his hit song ‘Joha’ off the album ‘Mr Money with the Vibes.’
- Olamide vs Blackface
Olamide’s Don’t Stop was accused of having a similar baseline with Blackface’s ‘Killer.’ The accusation was made by Blackface while speaking on the popular Honest Bunch podcast.
7 popular Afrobeats producers who became music superstars
Earlier, TheRadar reported that Afrobeats' landscape had indeed evolved so much that, beyond working behind the scenes, music producers are now exploring their flair for singing at the forefront of the industry.
Many Afrobeats music producers have emerged to become hitmakers and artistes in their own right, shaping and influencing the Afrobeats movement.
