IduwiniVoice Newspaper

Music Piracy: Bralatei Echo Toikumoh Writes Alfred Izonebi & Gesikeme Akparakata…



Dear IZONEBI AND ALFRED JKING & DE BECAUSE OF LOVE CREW

I am confident that the statement below could not have been issued without your awareness, as it was divulged on the official Facebook account for your band, Alfred Jking & De Because of Love Crew.
I am completely taken aback by the egregious attempt to defend music piracy with a baseless and incongruous analogy to the progression of scientific theories and inventions. This comparison is not only illogical and uninformed, but also flagrantly disrespectful.

The advancement of scientific theories and inventions, as demonstrated by revolutionary icons like Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and Thomas Edison, is predicated on openly shared knowledge, typically enshrined in the public domain or protected by patents and scholarly publications. These contributions are intended for legitimate augmentation with proper attribution and recognition. In other words, there are established legal frameworks that protect the original creators’ rights and itemize ways for others to legally build upon their works. In clear contrast, music and other creative works are safeguarded by intellectual property laws, and sampling someone’s work without authorization is a blatant violation of these rights.

It is understandable that musicians may make mistakes, as creativity often involves experimentation and risk-taking. However, when a musician samples someone’s song without permission and then defends this action, it crosses into the realm of unprofessional behavior.
It’s not far-fetched that professionalism in the music industry involves not only talent and creativity but also integrity and respect for other artists. When mistakes are made, true professionalism is demonstrated by taking responsibility, rectifying the situation, and learning from the experience to ensure it is not repeated in the future.

Sampling a song refers to the practice of taking a portion, or sample, of an existing sound recording and incorporating it into a new musical composition. However, it’s important to note that sampling someone else’s work without permission can infringe on their copyright. You have done this with my dad’s song, titled “Ariwei” and your denial of this fact is a display of pride that is both saddening and disrespectful. Again, your song titled “Dibi,” specifically from the 8:15 mark in the 14-minute and 49-second track, is a sample of my dad’s song.

In the realm of music, sampling without permission is an outright affront to the original artist’s creative efforts thereby causing significant harm to the artist and the industry. You are not the only artist who has sampled my dad’s song. Asu Ekiye also did, but he never denied it.

More so, The preposterous claim that life loses its purpose and meaning without building on previous work disregards the crucial distinction between lawful collaboration and unlawful appropriation. Constructing upon previous work in science legally and ethically is fundamentally distinct from the egregious piracy of music. To equate the two is to muddle the clear waters of ethical creation with the murky depths of theft.

Furthermore, consider the example of Whitney Houston, who famously sampled Dolly Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You” for her iconic rendition. Whitney didn’t resort to using unnecessary analogies to defend herself; instead, she took the appropriate steps to seek permission and give the song the power it deserved.

Your attempt to justify music piracy by drawing parallels to the progression of scientific theories is not only incongruous but also egregiously overlooks the legal, ethical, and contextual disparities between the two domains. This defense is a gross insult to the principles of intellectual property and the respect due to all creators. It is nothing short of trying to wrap a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Chief Echo Toikumoh’s works do not require input from anyone to endure. He has etched his legacy into the eternal sands of time. If you want to sample his song, do it appropriately and not mischievously.

I strongly advise you to take the right steps in addressing this issue as you embarking on a self-defeating journey. Dissuade your inveterate bootlickers who can’t let you see the obvious. Acknowledge your use of the sampled material, seek the necessary permissions. This will not only rectify the current situation but also demonstrate your respect for the creative works of others.

Sincerely,

Bralatei Echo Toikumoh
Writes from Brooklyn, NY