DJ Azonto has voiced his frustration over Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s use of his song during a campaign event, claiming it disrupted potential deals with other political parties.
The incident occurred at a presidential campaign event in Nalerigu, North East region, where Dr. Bawumia was seen dancing to DJ Azonto’s song “without prior permission”.
According to DJ Azonto, his management team was neither approached for authorization nor compensated for the use of the song in the high-profile event.
This unauthorized use, he claims, led to the collapse of negotiations with several political parties that were considering using his song for their own campaigns.
In response to what they view as a violation of intellectual property rights, DJ Azonto’s management, the Rolls Royce Family, is demanding $10 million in compensation.
They argue that this amount reflects the song’s value and the damages incurred due to its misuse.
Speaking on Adom TV’s Showtym with Andy Dosty, DJ Azonto emphasized the seriousness of the matter, urging respect for copyright laws and intellectual property rights.
He highlighted the willingness of musicians and the entertainment industry to collaborate with political candidates, provided proper channels are followed and permissions are obtained.
The demand for compensation underscores the broader issue of intellectual property rights in the music industry, emphasizing the need for legal compliance and respect for artists’ work.
DJ Azonto has voiced his frustration over Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s use of his song during a campaign event, claiming it disrupted potential deals with other political parties.
The incident occurred at a presidential campaign event in Nalerigu, North East region, where Dr. Bawumia was seen dancing to DJ Azonto’s song “without prior permission”.
According to DJ Azonto, his management team was neither approached for authorization nor compensated for the use of the song in the high-profile event.
In a landmark case, Ghanaian musician DJ Azonto has filed a lawsuit against Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, alleging unauthorized use of his hit song FA NO FOM during the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) political campaign.
According to court documents, DJ Azonto's management, Rolls Royce Family, claims that the Vice President used the song without permission during his campaign in Nalerigu, causing significant financial loss and damage to the artiste's reputation.
The management is seeking a compensation of $10 million from the Vice-President, emphasizing the importance of respecting copyright laws and intellectual property rights.
In a statement, DJ Azonto's team expressed their willingness to collaborate with aspiring presidential candidates, provided that proper channels are followed. "We are open to working with political candidates, but they must respect our intellectual property rights," they said.
The case has sparked a conversation about copyright laws in Ghana, with many calling for greater awareness and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
The court is yet to rule on the matter, but we are waiting to see how it unfolds.