Nigerian Afrobeats icon D’banj has revealed that his legal team has taken steps against American music legend Marc Anthony.
The reason? Anthony reportedly sampled D’banj’s 2012 hit single “Oliver Twist” without permission in his 2024 album.
Marc Anthony used the sample in the lead track of his latest album, “Muevense”, which also serves as the title of the album. According to D’banj, the use of his song was done without prior notice or official clearance.
“At first, I was happy”, D’banj
Speaking in a recent interview on Adesope Live, D’banj opened up about his reaction when he first heard the song. He admitted that he initially felt honoured that a global star like Marc Anthony would sample his music.
He said,
“Marc Anthony sampling my song was one of my biggest highlights last year. He released an album last year, and the title of the album and the first track were a sample of my song ‘Oliver Twist.’ I listened to it, and it sounded like a Latin version of my original track.”
However, the joy didn’t last long. As the situation became clearer, D’banj realised the use of his work hadn’t followed the proper legal process. According to him, there was no communication or clearance request from Marc Anthony’s team.
No clearance, no contact
D’banj noted that while he respected Marc Anthony as an artist, the fact remained that the song was officially released as the lead single and album title, without clearance. This raised red flags for his legal team.
“At first, I was happy because of who he is. But then my legal team got involved. From a business perspective, this had to be handled. He didn’t reach out to me before sampling the track. The song wasn’t cleared, and yet it was put out as the lead single and the title of the album.”
D’banj emphasised that while artistic recognition is important, protecting intellectual property is equally vital in today’s music industry.
“I don hammer”, D’banj reflects on unexpected blessing
Despite the legal issues, D’banj remained upbeat about the turn of events. With a mix of pride and humour, he acknowledged the unexpected benefit of being sampled by a major international star.
“I don hammer… God works in mysterious ways,” he said, using a popular Nigerian expression meaning “I’ve hit success.”
He credited the digital age for making it easier to trace and act on such cases. In previous decades, artists often lost out on royalties and credit due to a lack of access or legal awareness. Today, with music streaming platforms and digital tools, it’s easier to identify where songs are played and how they’re used.
Legal team takes charge
D’banj assured fans that his legal team is now handling the matter professionally. He expressed confidence in the process and hopes for a proper resolution.
“My legal people are handling it, and I know they are going high,” he said. “But deep down, I still admire Marc Anthony. We just have to clear it.”
While the case unfolds, the story highlights the growing importance of copyright and sampling rights in the global music industry. As Afrobeats continues to influence music scenes around the world, situations like this are expected to become more common.
The bigger picture
This incident isn’t just about two artists; it speaks to broader issues in the music industry. More than ever, international artists are blending sounds across genres and cultures. While this creates exciting collaborations and fusion music, it also raises questions about ownership, rights, and fair compensation.
D’banj’s calm yet firm approach reflects a maturing African music industry that is ready to protect its creative output. For many fans and insiders, the situation serves as a lesson in how recognition must go hand-in-hand with respect for the business side of music.
As of now, Marc Anthony has not publicly responded to the claims.
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