Veteran Nigerian music artiste Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo popularly known as Blackface has a new axe to grind as he has reportedly filed a case of song theft against Banky W and Wizkid.
Blackface and his Loudhouz Entertainment Limited are listed as plaintiffs in the suit while Empire Mates Entertainment, Starboy Entertainment, Wizkid and Banky W are listed as co-defendants.
In the suit filed on Tuesday, August 14, Blackface is seeking a declaration that ‘Slow Whine’, a song on Wizkid’s debut ‘Superstar’ album which released on June 2011, is a reproduction of the record ‘Like The Way’, which he put out in April 2010.
Blackface specifically noted that the vocal rhythm, melodic progression and lyrical content of principal parts were lifted from his song.
Therefore, he is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining Wizkid and Banky W from performing ‘Slow Whine’ or use it for any commercial purpose.
The ‘Hard Life’ crooner also asked for an order stopping the marketing, distribution or any commercialisation of Wizkid’s ‘Superstar’ album, because the disputed song is on it.
Blackface is also requesting the court to award him N40 million as damages for “musical plagiarism” and infringement of his recording.
He also sought an order awarding him “additional exemplary damages” of N60 million “pursuant to Section 15 (4) (a) of the Copyright Act of Nigeria” and an award of two million naira as costs of the lawsuit. In total, the former Plantashun Boiz member is suing for N62 million.
Speaking on why he decided to file the suit, Blackface said: “I have remained quiet while my name has been dragged in the mud the past few years. Some of Nigeria’s biggest artists have infringed on my copyrights but I always restricted myself to speaking out against this in the media.
“Maybe because I always felt that music is an art and not really a business where you bring in lawyers and all that. That’s why I couldn’t believe when I was sued for N50m by the same people who stole my intellectual property.
“I have nothing personal against Wizkid & Banky, in fact, I can say I groove to both their music, but the fact is that they stole my song in 2011 and there’s clear evidence to prove it. We’ll allow the Court to decide.”
#REPLAYTUNES: WizKid Sued To Court For Song Theft.
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