Asa Sues Joeboy For Sampling Her Music
Nigerian-French singer and songwriter Bukola Elemide, widely known as Asa, has sued “Alcohol” hitmaker Joseph Akinfenwa popularly known as Joeboy, for using her composition without her permission on his new song “Contour”.
In a letter dated September, 30, 2022, Asa accused Joeboy of using her intellectual property without seeking permission.
“It has been brought to our attention that your newly released song, contour (the “song”) infringes on the copyright of our client, as recorded/captured in a musical composition (the “composition”)”
The letter also indicated that Asa created the composition on the September 22, 2020 during a recording session with Tempoe, the one who produced Joeboy’s contour song.
The letter also stated that “the law does not permit the commercial use of any copyrighted material by any person other than the right holder without the obtention of a licence from the rightsholders of such material.”
Asa also demanded that the song is removed from all digital platforms within 24 hours.
“We hereby demand that you immediately remove the song from all DSP’s and any other platforms within twenty-four (24) hours of your receipt of this letter, with a written apology issued to our client, as well as halt any additional infringements of our composition, including any infringements.”
The singer also demanded a whooping sum of 300,000,000 naira to be paid as well as a 60% publishing split on the song.