A heated debate has emerged in Ghana’s music industry after the management of the late legendary musician Osei Boateng, alleged that rising artist Adom Kiki used the song’ Gyatabruwa’ without permission.
However, Kwame Dadzie, an entertainment presenter, has stepped in with a detailed explanation, stating that Adom Kiki has not stolen the song.
In a strongly worded post, Dadzie clarified that Adom Kiki’s version is a cover, not a sample or interpolation. He explained that a cover involves re-recording an existing song using new vocals or instruments, without altering the original recording or changing its core melody and lyrics.
According to him, this distinction is important because while sampling and interpolation require direct permission from rights holders, cover versions are generally allowed under established licensing systems in many jurisdictions.
He noted that artists can legally release cover songs as long as they obtain the appropriate licence and ensure royalties are properly accounted for. These processes are often managed through distributors, aggregators, and organisations like the Ghana Music Rights Organisation.
In the case of Gyatabruwa, Adom Kiki is said to have secured a cover licence through his distributor. This means that any revenue generated from the song on digital platforms is expected to benefit the original composer, Osei Boateng.
However, Dadzie pointed out that the real issue may lie in documentation and digital registration. If the original song is not properly registered or lacks complete metadata, it becomes difficult for streaming platforms to correctly match the song and distribute royalties.
He emphasised that in such situations, the royalties are not lost but remain unclaimed until the rightful owner is properly identified.
Instead of taking legal action, Dadzie is asking for calm and cooperation. He encouraged Osei Boateng’s estate to work with Adom Kiki and the right people to complete the necessary paperwork so they can claim any unpaid royaltie
The ongoing debate has since highlighted the need for better education on copyright, proper music registration, and effective royalty systems within Ghana’s music industry.