Veteran Nigerian singer, Olusegun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, has accused gospel singers, Yinka Ayefele and Bakare Boluwatife Oluwatobi (BBO), of copyright infringement.
Beautiful Nubia made the allegation in a post shared on his X handle on Thursday.
The post was triggered by BBO’s recently released song titled Amin.
Beautiful Nubia accused BBO of stealing the melody of his original song ‘Seven Lifes’ which was released back in 1997.
This, according to him, marked the second time his melody will be stolen by gospel singers as he alleged that Yinka Ayefele had also copied the original song in 2012 when he released “My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)”.
Beautiful Nubia decried the intellectual theft by gospel musicians as he called for respect of copyright.
“There was Yinka Ayefele with “My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)” in 2012 and now someone called BBO with “Amin” this year.
“Both stole their melodies from our original song “Seven Lifes”. When will Nigerians (especially the so-called gospel musicians) learn to respect copyright?” He wrote.
Meanwhile, the post had since brought the reserved legendary singer, who had over the years kept a low profile, to the limelight as netizens reacted to his allegations.
Some netizens stood in defence of the gospel singers, stressing that their songs are largely borne of out inspiration.
Others however charged Beautiful Nubia to speak up on the copyright allegation.
“Stole your melody? I disagree. In literature, we have the theory of Intertextuality which if deployed in this context means every melody is a product of other (past) melodies. Even the bible affirms it that there is nothing new under the sun; everything is cyclical and being recycled. Your melody is a product of other people’s melodies. I so submit.”@Samueldare2002
“Father , you understand this melody thing very well You know as musician we listen to alot of people and hence where inspiration are been gathered It may not be a direct copy of your songs I will definitely check it out and see Again”@HojaySax
“Many people feel similarities between songs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean one copied the other. Artists know better than to plagiarize music”@ChildHealthhero
“Please speak out sir. Same thing they did to Goke Bajowa’s classic.”@jayebros
“Instead of you to be happy that people are being inspired by you. You’re here fighting for copyright? I’m disappointed in you sir”@Datboii_meek
“Baba no dey cap sir I dey listen to your song wella but BBO’s Amin melody is different from yours Except you just want to push an agenda o… BBO’s Amin no follow”@FreedomCreativ
“Was this why Ayefele said ” Won ni mo ji won Lorin””@Lekxydoo1
“So you think if we play the whole song in dis world You still think you own the melody? Its inspiration baba me You weren’t the first to use it and definitely you won’t be d last”@DaveedTolu
