Veteran Singer Beautiful Nubia Accuses Yinka Ayefele and BBO of Song Melody Plagiarism
Veteran Nigerian singer Beautiful Nubia has publicly accused fellow musicians Yinka Ayefele and BBO of copyright infringement, alleging they copied the melody from his original song. In a post shared on the social media platform X, the folk singer claimed both artists directly drew from his work, specifically his track titled "Seven Lifes."
Allegations of Melody Copying Detailed
According to Beautiful Nubia, Yinka Ayefele's 2012 gospel track "My Faith in God (Igbagbo Ireti)" and BBO's recent song "Amin" both feature melodies that are strikingly similar to his own composition. He expressed concern that Nigerian musicians, particularly those in the gospel genre, continue to disregard copyright laws and fail to uphold originality in their creative processes.
Online Debate Erupts with Mixed Reactions
The post quickly ignited a heated debate among X users, with opinions sharply divided. One user countered the allegation by referencing the concept of intertextuality, arguing that in music and literature, creativity often builds upon existing works. This user emphasized that every melody is inevitably influenced by past sounds, suggesting that similarities do not necessarily constitute deliberate copying.
Another user admitted to personally noticing resemblances when first hearing BBO's "Amin," lending some support to Beautiful Nubia's claims. However, several others defended the accused artists, stating that musicians naturally draw inspiration from what they listen to, and that overlapping elements can occur without malicious intent.
BBO's Inspiration Claim Adds Complexity
Adding another layer to the controversy, one commenter pointed out that BBO had previously stated he derived inspiration for "Amin" during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days, which predates the current dispute. This claim introduces questions about the timeline and originality of the work in question.
The incident highlights ongoing issues within the Nigerian music industry regarding intellectual property rights and the fine line between inspiration and infringement. As discussions continue online, it remains to be seen whether further actions will be taken by the involved parties to address these serious allegations.
