Entertainment
Obrafour, Drake & Mantse conundrum: Baba Sadiq writes
Following the Obrafour vrs Drake vrs Mantse IP issues carefully. I am noticing some of the emotions at play and the usual take devoid of sound legal reasoning and case studies to back it up.
Someone wondered if Mantse indeed has the locus to claim his composition on the recording owned by Execution Entertainment/Obrafour? Others thought he couldn’t have because he was paid etc.
Anybody that followed the Taylor Swift, Big Time Machine case which is almost similar to this as it relates to asserting one’ compositional right will admit, Mantse whether paid or not can lay a proper claim to the composition of that aspect of the recording which Execution Entertainment/Obrafour owns. That composition “Killer cut blood” is his. He composed and performed it.
The Taylor Swift, big Time Machine case asserts the composer’s rights associated with the underlying composition – the performance royalties, in addition to the mechanical royalties even though the owner of the sound recording in this case Execution Entertainment/Obrafour retains the rights to monetize, distribute, and license that specific recording, regardless of who wrote the song.
Execution/Obrafour owns the entire recording, however, the element of the recording in contention is that which was composed and performed by Mantse. So it’s best practice to regard Mantse as a composer of that aspect of the recording owned by Execution Entertainment/Obrafour because he composed and performed it. So he is actually on a good path regardless of how we think he should have approached it. The approach can be subjective and a matter of choice, not our emotions to be fair to him.
Perhaps it’s time to re-route the narrative of the industry through thoughtful and informative content as I have consistently maintained. No industry can be enabled without thought leadership. This is another opportunity to do better and elevate the discourse for the good of the industry.
Further readings particularly the Sisqó vrs the Composer of Ricky Martin’s “Living la Vida loca” confirms that, unless otherwise directed by Mantse, Execution Entertainment/Obrafour can not claim compensation on behalf of Mantse as the composer of that piece in the recording which is a bone of contention. Mantse however and on his own can claim compensation for that piece without recourse to Obrafour.
Per the attached link and in the Ricky Martin case, the actual beneficiary in that case isn’t Ricky Martin who performed the recording but Desmond Child, the composer of the song. Ricky Martin and the record label that owned the Masters didn’t have a right and couldn’t have claimed the compensation like Obrafour is doing.
Emotions aside and If The Taylor Swift vrs Big Time Machine and the Sisqó vrs Desmond Child case are anything to go by, the rightful beneficiary of the compensation and the one with the actual right of claim is Mantse, the composer of the sampled piece and not Obrafour. Read this carefully, let’s talk more about it.
Entertainment
Foto Copy tackles realities of friendship in new song
Ghana’s decorated young musician, Foto Copy, known in private life as Kallai Nana Qwaachi has tackled the realities of friendship in his new song.
The song tackles issues of conflict, loyalty, reward, ingratitude and betrayal of trust in friendship.
According to him, the song produced by DDT and dubbed “Friends Today, Enemies Tomorrow”, preaches a message that goes to address some realities of life.
He revealed that many best friends some time ago have become bitter enemies now due to similar issues they failed to address.
The musician noted that people have gone all out for others and ensured their friends succeeded, but unfortunately, they paid them back with evil.
Speaking to thespectatoronline.com, Foto Copy said, these things have made people regret going all out for their friends.
He is of the view that when society becomes embittered by the negative actions of their friends, it becomes difficult for others to get help in difficult situations.
Against this backdrop, he felt the need to address this in his new song.
The song is available on all digital music stores
Stream the song below
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Taste 68@68: Okyeame Kwame wins Celebrity Jollof Competition with Vegan recipe
Multiple award-winning Ghanaian musician and activist, Okyeame Kwame, known in private life as Kwame Nsia-Apau has been adjudged winner of the ‘Taste 68 @68’ Celebrity Jollof Competition.
The ‘Taste 68 @68’ Celebrity Jollof Competition was an event organised by the Ghana Tourism Authority(GTA) as part of activities to mark the country’s Heritage Month recently.
The event held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park brought together industry players among others.
Okyeame Kwame competed with Mr.Beautiful, Uncle Ato, Victoria Lebene and Joyce Blessing.
The Rap Dacta called his food, the Vegan Jollof funnily some of the spectators claimed his Jollof could ‘lower global warming’ due to the ingredients used.
He used mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, oil and other vegetables.
The protein source was seitan which is made from wheat gluten.
Ultimately, he overcame other culinary skills from his competitors for the ultimate crown.
Okyeame Kwame expressed his appreciation to everyone who tasted it and urged Ghanaians to consider it as part of their delicacies, adding that it is healthier.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GTA Mr.Gilbert Aggrey, affectionately called Abeiku Santana said Okyeame Kwame won the competition not because he is famous and likeable.
According to him, Okyeame understood gastronomy tourism and techniques in culinary artistry, a strength he leveraged against his competitors.
He added that “if you look at the presentation of his meals he used cucumber to garnish his food by creating a design with his initials, OK, Okyeame Kwame. In gastronomy tourism, there should be a story and motivation behind the food that you have prepared.”
Abeiku Santana further noted that Okyeame Kwame’s presentation was outstanding considering how he linked food to climate change and the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals.
He congratulated him for emerging as the winner of the competition.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
