In what is shaping up to be another case of accusations over stolen demos, one music producer is accusing another of ‘borrowing’ their work. In between stand two upcoming artistes who, away from showbiz, are friends.
The whole drama was triggered by the disturbing posts on social media from the music producer, Ricco Beatz. His Instagram stories painted a disturbing picture.
The producer of the Mazishi hit song stated that it was his first time experiencing an ordeal whereby an artiste or a music producer boldly duplicates another artiste’s work and ideas.
He had been supporting an upcoming artiste known as Cliff Nic Mic in collaboration with the now-infamous artiste, Alvindo, introduced to Ricco Beatz by Cliff, to record a song they believed to be a hit song entitled Boychild on March 29.
This was a song created by two best friends who grew up together and were ready to live their dreams, according to the music producer. It aimed at addressing the hurdles and struggles young men are going through in the Kenyan setting.
Interestingly, after their collaboration Alvindo confronted Cliff about using the same song that was to be produced by his previous producer Magix Enga.
Cliff did not agree to the terms presented by Alvindo and Magix Enga which led to them hanging up on him.
However, according to Ricco Beatz, all hell broke loose after Alvindo went to ahead to “rob” almost every aspect of the song he was featured in including the jamming beats and Cliff’s lyrics- word for word- except for the chorus that was composed and performed by Magix Enga.
It was hurriedly released as an audio and uploaded to the Magix Enga YouTube channel right the day before the original Boychild song was to be released last Saturday night.
In addition to that, the comedian DJ Shiti was fronted as the owner of the newly released song, coming in line with the comedian’s parody project that goes by the same name, Boychild.
“Don’t rush for a hit song guys, it may not be easy to keep up. Just do you. Good music,” the producer of more than 10 years’ experience posted.
The saddest part is that Cliff’s attempt to reach Alvindo and Magix Enga about the issue fell onto deaf ears as they immediately blocked him on all social media platforms.
The producer says that Cliff shared the demo of the song 3 months ago, in fact.
“In order for the hashtag “#playkenyanmusic to continue, I urge all artistes to register and license their work if they are to achieve the international standards that they yearn for,” he says and adds that the industry needs proper business ethics and professionalism.
Mr 808 swerved the whole tribulation by offering free advice to the upcoming artiste or any other form of creative to register their work with the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).
This is because it will put them in a position to protect their work from plagiarism as well as illegal claim of their property.
The soft spoken producer has taken another stride in the Kenyan music domain by concerns that have explained the power of professionalism and the much needed regulations that will bring a peaceful and productive time for upcoming artiste.
