Nigerian singer Okafor Uchenna Victor, popularly known as Mr Real, has raised alarm over what he describes as widespread intellectual property theft in Nigeria’s music industry.
The Legbegbe star criticized the Afrobeats genre for its apparent lack of originality, claiming that numerous songs and creative ideas are often copied or outright stolen.
He pointed out that up-and-coming artists are the ones most affected by this trend, yet they rarely receive justice because they do not have the fan base or influence to bring attention to their cases.
In a recent interview with Hip TV, Mr Real also suggested that even some established artists who complain about their songs being copied have themselves borrowed ideas without permission.
He said in Pidgin: “Blackface dey always complain say dem steal him song. Afrobeats no get original songs, even Rema fit steal Omah Lay song. You see idea wey bad if you no sharp, omo boys go run am. No time.”
Mr Real added that while song theft occurs more frequently between rising talents and top artists, the lack of support for newcomers often leaves them unheard.
He explained: “Stealing of songs happens more between upcoming artists and top artistes but the upcoming no get fans to speak for them. There’s no original song in Afrobeats. Even the one shouting ‘they stole my song’ don still copy person own.”
