Matata demands Sh25 million after winning 'Mpishi' copyright battle against DJ Keville

Kenyan music group Matata are seeking KSh 25 million in damages after winning a highly publicised copyright case over their hit track Mpishi, featuring Sauti Sol's Bien-Aime Baraza. Kenya Copyright Tribunal cleared the group of any wrongdoing and restored their full rights to own and distribute the song. The ruling came months after Mpishi was temporarily pulled from YouTube following a complaint by producer Kelvin Njogu Murimi, also known as DJ Keville, who accused Matata of copying the instrumental from his 2019 track. Keville's complaint, filed directly with YouTube, resulted in the song's lyric video being taken down just days before the official music video was set to premiere. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matata Official (@matataofficial) However, Tribunal Chairperson Elizabeth Lenjo ruled that there was no evidence of direct copying. While both tracks shared a reggae-style rhythm, she found they were inspired by the same 2004 Jamaican classic Can't Satisfy Her by I-Wayne, an influence that did not amount to copyright infringement. The tribunal ordered the takedown notice withdrawn immediately, directing YouTube to reinstate the video within 48 hours if the complainant failed to act. Matata also secured protection from future takedown attempts targeting the song. In a radio interview, the group accused Keville of sabotage. "The copyright complaint was an attempt at extortion, damaging our online reach and brand credibility," they said. The group's KSh 25 million demand covers defamation, alleged sabotage, and financial losses. Their legal team says the case is not just about clearing their name but holding individuals accountable for abusing copyright mechanisms. The case has sparked a broader debate over YouTube's copyright system, which allows claims without proof of ownership in court. Industry experts believe the ruling could set an important precedent for Kenya's music scene, especially in genres like Gengetone and Afro-fusion, where shared influences and sampling are common. For Matata, the tribunal win is only the opening verse, the real chorus, they say, is making sure misuse of copyright claims hits a dead note.

Matata demands Sh25 million after winning 'Mpishi' copyright battle against DJ Keville

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Matata demands Sh25 million after winning 'Mpishi' copyright battle against DJ Keville

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