Veteran singer-songwriter and former member of the defunct, classic group formerly known as Plantashun Boiz, Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, aka Blackface, has accused Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Asake of intellectual property theft and plagiarism.
During an interview with Naija FM in Lagos, the singer, who is best known for his hit song ‘Ghetto Child’, claimed that the three artists have sampled his songs occasionally without his consent.
"'Ginger’ by Wizkid and Burna [Boy] is [a sample of] my track ‘Twist & Turn’; the rhythms, the beat, how the melody starts and ends. Na only the verses dem change,” he said, accusing the Big bird of mimicry.
In addition, Blackface went on to accuse Mr money, Asake of stealing his song ‘Ikebe Supa’ and using it in his own song ‘Joha,’ claiming that he is an inspiration to these musicians.
“Asake’s ‘Joha’ is [a sample of] my song ‘Ikebe Supa.’ I dey inspire them," he added, seemingly proud of his catalogue.
The veteran singer who once called out 2Face Idibia and Asake for not featuring him on the remix of ' Joha' clarified that he does not oppose young artists sampling his work, but he takes issue with the lack of permission and proper acknowledgement in the process.
“Young ones dey get inspiration from my music. The first person wey sample my music na Wizkid when he do ‘Baby girl I like the way you whine it.’ When I release these records, dem go find the one wey dem like and dem go turn am to their own,” he said in part.