Earlier this week, word hit social media that the accompanying video for Mut4y’s latest single featuring Wizkid has been removed from YouTube. Though it turns out, the video is actually still available online for streaming, initial speculations suggested Wizkid may have voided his contract with Sony (according to NotjustOk). Thankfully, Legedury Beatz’ Mut4y has helped shed some light on the confusion.
Just so you know!!! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 https://t.co/Icq5e6sRyF
— MUT4Y ♨️ (@Mutaylegendury) November 29, 2017
Watch #manya mutaY x #wizkid the video is still on YouTube I remembered we complained about it been on two YouTube page I think that is why #wizkid have to remove the one on his YouTube page video on https://t.co/b6jxM9D25C
— Champ Ace Walker (@ChampAceWalker1) November 29, 2017
To whom it may concern, the MANYA video is still very much available on YouTube on my own channel ONLY!!!
Don’t be deceived. Go Look it up on YouTube or follow the link in my instagram or Twitter…
Feel free to grab some Nkwobi while your at it! 😏
— MUT4Y ♨️ (@Mutaylegendury) November 29, 2017
While this particular case with “Manya” finds resolution as a typical case of Nigerian misinformation and miscommunication, it also indicates how effective recent digital copyright reforms have been on contemporary music globally.
Just last year, over 180 artists including, Taylor Swift, Paul Marcartney, Lady Gaga and Vince Staples amonsgt others signed a petition demanding for better accountability from streaming services, as part of a bigger digital music distribution conversation circled around phasing out music piracy. The removal of an unofficially uploaded version of “Manya” by an unaffiliated StarboyTV account proves Nigerian music will also benefit from the internet’s stringency with intellectual property.
Traditional piracy has long robbed the industry of its full fruits, digital distribution will not only now be an alternative means for artists to rake in investments from sales, but to also get credit and its full rewards for their work.
