An up-and-coming artiste named Wisekid has triggered curiosity on social media after he disclosed statistics that prompted allegations he made about N30 million monthly from cloning ‘Made In Lagos‘, a 2020 music album by Wizkid.
Wisekid, whose monicker itself is an imitation of Ayodeji Balogun’s stage name, had released an album and named it ‘Lasgidi Made’, a localised alteration of Wizkid’s album title. He then went ahead to dub the names of Wizkid’s tracks.
The budding singer drew attention to himself after he tweeted the screenshot of Apple Music analytics with the caption “On God.”
The numbers showed he had raked in 9.3 million views, 133.6k average daily listeners, and 1.2k song purchases on streaming platforms.
Wisekid earns $73,170 (N30 million) monthly from copying Wizkid's music.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 6, 2021
He was also accused of having made $73,170 monthly since October 2020 via Apple Music, Amazon, Shazam, and Tidal.
Wisekid also dubbed Wizkid’s social media usernames, using the handle “Wisekidaya” on Instagram and Twitter.
As the now-deleted screenshot went viral on Twitter and attracted critics who accused the singer of infringing on Wizkid’s copyright, Wisekid wrote in denial: “I’m just an upcoming artist I know nothing about this.
“And please am not the one distributing Wizkid album on Apple music. I have my company that distributes my music for me so I know nothing about this news spreading all over the internet. Thank.”
Pls I don’t want wahala oo .. I’m just an upcoming artist I know nothing about this and please am not the one distributing wizkid album on apply music . I have my company that distributes my music for me so I know nothing about this news spreading all over the internet
Thank https://t.co/9MGHxlAmhf— WISEKID (@wisekidaya) April 6, 2021
While Wizkid is yet to speak publicly about the controversy, Wisekid went ahead to claim that Freeme Digital, a digital music distribution company, handles the distribution of his songs.
Wisekid went as far as copying Wizkid's social media usernames. He used the handle, Wisekidaya on Instagram and Twitter.
He has deactivated his Twitter account and has just changed his Instagram handle to Ayaboyofficial. pic.twitter.com/bFjEjEBAHm
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 6, 2021
But in a strong-worded statement, Freeme Digital stated that ‘Lasgidi Made’ album was not distributed on its platform.
The music firm also vowed to remove the rest of Wisekid’s content on its platform.
“It has come to our notice that an artiste by the name of “Wisekid” claims to distribute an album titled ‘Lasgidi Made’ with our organization,” it wrote.
“While it is true that he distributes some of his content through our organization, we will like to make it categorically clear that the said, ‘Lasgidi Made’ album was not distributed via our platform.
“We have attached below screenshots of the songs/albums that Wisekid distributed through our platform. Freeme Digital as an organization strongly stands against copyright infringement, illegal use of content, and digital piracy.”
we will be deleting the rest of Wisekid's content on our platform and we have informed our legal team to immediately commence investigation on the issue and prosecute the matter to the full extent of the law. (5)
— Freeme Digital (@freemedigital) April 6, 2021
“We will be deleting the rest of Wisekid’s content on our platform and we have informed our legal team to immediately commence investigation on the issue and prosecute the matter to the full extent of the law.”
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle