Veteran Nigerian singer Konga has claimed that he deserves 60 per cent of the earnings from Burna Boy’s song Update, alleging that the Grammy-winning artiste sampled his work without permission.
Konga made the statement during a recent episode of the Hits Don’t Lie podcast. Speaking during the interview, he expressed frustration over what he described as Burna Boy’s failure to acknowledge or properly compensate him.
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According to him, he had earlier called out Burna Boy respectfully, hoping for a private resolution. However, he said the Afrobeats star did not respond or reach out to address the issue.
Furthermore, Konga drew comparisons with Burna Boy’s previous handling of a similar situation involving American singer Toni Braxton.
He pointed out that Burna Boy reportedly agreed to give her 60 per cent of the royalties from his 2022 hit Last Last, which sampled her song He Wasn’t Man Enough.
“If Toni Braxton is having 60% royalty of Last Last, why can’t he do the same thing to come and meet me first, talk to me?” Konga queried.
He added that the issue was not only about money but also about respect and proper engagement within the music industry. According to him, he expected Burna Boy to initiate a conversation before using elements of his work.
In addition, Konga revealed that he had restrained his legal team from taking action against the Grammy winner. He explained that his decision was influenced by his admiration for Burna Boy’s music and pride in his role in the growth of African music globally.
“I have been stopping my lawyers because I love his music and I am proud of what he represents,” he said.
Konga also alleged that this was not the first time Burna Boy had used his material. He claimed that the singer previously sampled his lyrics in the remix of Sungba with Asake.
However, he expressed disappointment that Burna Boy did not respond to his earlier request for a collaboration. He said he had asked the singer to feature on a remix of his classic track Kabakaba, but the request was ignored.
As a result, Konga stated that he had decided to take a different approach. He suggested that he might also sample Burna Boy’s work without permission, mirroring what he believes was done to him.
The development has sparked conversations within the music industry about intellectual property rights, sampling ethics, and fair compensation for original creators. Many observers noted that such disputes highlight the need for clearer agreements and better communication among artists.
Overall, Konga’s remarks underscored ongoing concerns about recognition and royalties in the evolving Afrobeats scene, as Nigerian music continues to gain global attention.
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