Ghanaian gospel music group Alabaster Box has officially taken legal steps against popular rapper Medikal, known offstage as Samuel Adu Frimpong, over allegations of unauthorized sampling. The group claims that Medikal used portions of their well-known hit song “Akwaaba” in his track “Welcome to Africa” without their consent.
The issue first came to light on April 8, 2025, when Alabaster Box publicly called out the rapper, demanding that the song be taken down from all streaming and distribution platforms. In addition to its removal, they also requested a comprehensive report detailing any revenue generated through the track’s streaming, marketing, public performances, or other related channels.
Despite the group’s demands and what appears to have been several attempts to reach an amicable resolution, Medikal allegedly failed to comply in full. According to the group, he only made some changes to the YouTube version of the song, without addressing the broader issues raised or meeting their full demands.
As a result, Alabaster Box escalated the matter legally. On April 15, 2025, the group filed a writ of summons against Medikal, accusing him of copyright infringement. They are seeking a sum of GH₵10 million as general damages for the unauthorized use of their work, and an additional GH₵5 million in exemplary damages. The latter amount is being sought as a punitive measure, citing what they describe as a deliberate and reckless misuse of their intellectual property.
The group’s legal representatives argue that the association of their music with content they view as vulgar has caused significant harm to their brand image. Alabaster Box, known for its Christian and family-friendly music, insists that such a link misrepresents their values and artistic mission.
The writ also requests that Medikal be held responsible for covering all legal fees and related costs incurred during the process. Alabaster Box maintains that they attempted to resolve the issue through dialogue before resorting to legal action. However, given Medikal’s response—or lack thereof—they believe the court is now the only avenue to seek justice and ensure the protection of their creative rights.
This case brings to the forefront the ongoing challenges surrounding intellectual property rights in Ghana’s music industry and could set a precedent for how sampling and copyright issues are addressed moving forward.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0