From Tekno to Olamide and now Korede Bello, Nigerian artistes seem to be underestimating the role of copyright laws as regards their music.
In yet another case of supposed copyright infringement, Dubie, the former band leader of the Star Quest winning band, The Pulse, has said Korede Bello, didn’t reach out to him before producing his latest song ‘Sote’ which has identical title with his own version.
Recall that Dubie in 2009 had done a remix of ‘Sote ‘, a song he composed when he was still the band leader of the now defunct music group, The Pulse . The song made them win the then popular music TV reality show, Star Quest .
Dubie even released a remix of the song with American rapper, Busta Rhymes when visited Nigeria for a concert.
However, many Nigerians were shocked when Godwin singer, Korede Bello released his own version of the song also titled ‘Sote’. Though the Korede and Dubie ‘Sote’ have different messages, but we can’t but notice the similarity in the rhythm and tone.
Reacting to the release of Korede Bello’s ‘Sote’, Dubie said:”Someone drew my attention to it, she called me to say I should listen to Korede Bello’s new song ‘Sote’, that it sounds just like my own. I did and it did sound like my own, especially the hook” he told TheNetng.
Recall that in recent times, Nigerian singers like Simi, Jaywon, Olamide and Tekno have been alleged to have been involved in copyright theft.
Godwin crooner , Korede Bello who recently graduated from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and came out in flying colours, has debunked claims that he bought his recently acquired higher national diploma (HND) .
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Korede Bello said he got his degree through “hard work, commitment and sacrifice”.
“I initially didn’t want to post this for many reasons but I was wrong on all counts,” the singer wrote.
“I’d be doing millions of young people and my peers a disservice by not boldly putting it out there that impossibility is a myth; you can be talented and distinguished; famous and dignified; celebrated and educated that you can be a mega superstar.
“For this I am grateful to God.
“The main reason I endured to the finish line was because I needed to push myself and also to be a light for a lot of young Nigerians who think you cannot be an established Artiste and still achieve academic excellence. I endured because #MyPeople needed a role model.
“A few days before I got signed I was still looking for tuition fees, so I understand the experience that some of you go through. But just as HE came through for me, he’ll come through for you.
“No, it wasn’t easy but it was worth it. I was graced and I’m grateful. And no, I didn’t buy my result but I paid for it through hardwork, commitment and sacrifice (time and music).”
Back in 2016, a report surfaced on blogs and other online media that some lecturers in the school had threatened to resign if Korede was allowed to write the examination as he didn’t meet up with the school’s mandatory 70% attendance. This generated a myriad of reactions, with some people predicting he was going to drop out from school.
In recent times the Nigerian entertainment industry has been filled with tales of artistes and record labels at war over breach of contract.
From Brymo to Asa, Debie Rise to Harrysong and now Runtown, these artistes have had to battle their record labels.
Godwin crooner, Korede Bello has advised Nigerian artistes to involve a lawyer before signing a contractual agreement. Korede stated that it is dangerous to be ignorant.
“Anyone going into a contractual agreement should consult a legal advisor or legal practitioner. You cannot just be ignorant; we are in a different world now. I have been there; I know what it means to just want something regardless of whatever it is. Make he just happen sharp sharp.
Artistes coming up, established artistes, anybody it is very important that whenever you go into a contractual agreement, you need the presence of a lawyer”he told Hip TV.
In 2014, Nigerian author and PR expert, Toni Kan noted that the Don Jazzy led record label, Mavins has bankable musical stars. He puts it this way: “No Nigerian music label has the number of bankable musical stars like Mavin records”.
Fast forward to 2017, the crew who gave us songs like Dorobucci, Eminado and Surulere, seem to have lost the midas touch they are known for.
Now let us take a look at the individual talents signed to the label and how they fared in 2017
Korede Bello
Though Korede Bello generated 100,000 million for some of his music videos in 2017, the young dude didn’t record any major feat in 2017.
Asides collaborations with Bracket and Sarkodie, the Godwin crooner didn’t release any new song in 2017.
Dr Sid
Sidney Onoriode Esiri known as Dr Sid once ruled the airwaves with his hit song, ‘Surulere’ but the chubby singer’s performance in 2017 wasn’t remarkable. The singer released a highlife tune titled Jensimi which has 37,000 views on YouTube as at the time of this report. That alone was not able to catapult him to the top in 2017.
Dija
Ever since Dija was signed to the label, her biggest song has been ‘Awww’ which currently has over 3m views on Youtube as at the time of this report.
Punch describes Dija’s craft this way: “Three years down the line, Di’ja still cannot boast of a robust repertoire of music. Meanwhile, Korede Bello and Reekado Banks, who were signed to Mavin at about the same time with her, have been able to churn out some hits, and even have an album each to their names”
The mother of one recently unveiled her eponymous EP which is yet to make any key impression in the Nigerian music terrain. The biggest song on the EP is ‘My Lover’ which has over 14,000 views on YouTube.
Iyanya
No doubts, Iyanya is one of the most endowed Nigerian artistes of his generation. Earlier in the year, there were a myriad of speculations that the singer has parted with the Don Jazzy led Mavin Records, which they failed to debunk.
Iyanya’s work ethic doubled in 2017, releasing songs like ‘Iyanu’, ‘Bow for you’, ‘Odoyewu’. His biggest song of 2017 is ‘ Bow for you’ with over 500,000 views on YouTube
D’Prince
Years back, D’Prince shook the entertainment industry with his hit song, ‘Omoba’ which can be regarded as his claim to fame. However the lanky singer has not been able to replicate the success of that song.
This year the singer served his fans two singles ‘Sade’ and ‘So Nice’. His biggest song of 2017 is ‘So Nice’ with 200,000 views( as at the time of filing this report).
Reekado Banks
The velvety voiced Reekado is one of the bankable artistes signed to the label at the moment. His visibility, star power and work ethic is unparalled. The crooner’s biggest song of 2017 is the highlife tune, ‘Easy Jeje’ with over 2m views on YouTube.
In addition, he also released singles like ‘Move’ and ‘Like’. The singer is currently preparing for his annual ‘Thank You’ concert slated to hold in Ibadan.
SAVAGE
Tiwa Savage
Like a phoenix Tiwa Savage rose from the 2016 scandal that threatened her marriage and career. This year she released an EP titled ‘ Sugarcane’ with singles like ‘Ma lo’ ‘All Over’ and ‘Sugarcane’.
The Afropop ‘Ma lo’ which features Wizkid has 7.4m views on YouTube, a month after its release.
Tiwa stuck to her formula of releasing relatable songs, showcasing her sex appeal and an improved work ethic. She is unquestionably one of the biggest Nigerian stars of 2017.
While it is safe to say majority of the artistes on the label failed to soar in 2017, the duo of Tiwa Savage and Reekado Banks cannot be ignored.
Godwin singer and Mavin Record act, Korede Bello has just unveiled a new look. The singer recently shared new photos of his new look, that sees him spotting mini dreadlocks.
In recent times, other Nigerian pop stars like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Dammy Krane and Wande Coal have all attempted similar hairstlyes.
After the release of his first single which received relatively positive reviews, he was introduced to Don Jazzy by his manager Casmir Uwaegbute after which they recorded some songs together which got Don Jazzy impressed.
On 28 February 2014, he got signed to Mavin Records under which he has recorded popular songs like “African Princess” and “Godwin”.
Godwin singer Korede Bello may look gentle and cool on the outside, but the singer isn’t comfortable with fans criticizing him. Yesterday, the ‘Mungo Park’ crooner took to his Instagram page to share a video, announcing to his fans about his scheduled concert in Australia.
He wrote: “It’s about to be a long trip to Aussie, I’ll see you guys in a bit”.
Then a certain fan condemned his English. “Lol…bruh Aussie is a person from Australia or words used to describe Australians. Una go dey form foneh wey una noh sabi…gosh.”
Angry Korede Bello replied by saying: “Go and help your parents. Do something with your life”.
Korede started music professionally by recording songs in the studio while in secondary school, and eventually released his first single “Forever”. He studied Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and holds a National Diploma certificate. Korede Bello is an Associate Member of the Institute of Information Management.
Godwin crooner, Korede Bello is one of the happiest youngsters at the moment. The Mavin Records singer just acquired a new car. He is sure starting 2017 on a bright note.
According to reports the car he acquired, a new 2017 Chevrolet Corvette costs over 33million. Even in a recession, Korede Bello is living the good life. He took to his Instagram page to share the good news.
