Nigerian singer Okafor Uchenna Victor, popularly known as Mr Real, has raised concerns about what he calls the widespread intellectual property theft in the country’s music industry.
The “Legbegbe” hitmaker claimed that Afrobeats lacks originality, alleging that many of the songs and ideas circulating within the genre are copied or stolen from others.
According to him, upcoming artists suffer the most, as they often lack the influence or fanbase to fight back when their work is taken without credit.
Mr. Real also mentioned that even older artists like Blackface, who frequently complain about song theft, have allegedly used other people’s work in the past without permission.
Speaking with Hip TV, the singer reacted to recent allegations that Rema stole Omah Lay’s sound, saying it wouldn’t be surprising given how the industry operates.
In his words:
“Blackface dey always complain say dem steal him song. Afrobeats no get original songs, even Rema fit steal Omah Lay song. You see idea wey bad if you no sharp, omo boys go run am. No time.
Stealing of songs happens more between upcoming artists & top artistes but the upcoming no get fans to speak for them. There’s no original song in Afrobeats. Even the one shouting ‘they stole my song’ don still copy person own.”